Why did sectional differences develop in the US?

Northern colonies were more likely to have originated from Puritans who came to this country for religious freedom, exhibited characteristics of the Protestant Work Ethic and were farmers, fishermen and merchants with religious roots. For the most part, they were not pro-slavery. Southerners, on the other hand were frequently large plantation owners, dependent on slave labor. Their land was more likely have been acquired as a reward from Britain or an investment aimed at economic prosperity rather than an escape. Many southerners were Loyalists up to the Revolutionary War. These stark contrasts led to sectionalism.