Escalation

Es•ca•la•tion |ˌeskəˈlā sh ən| (noun, Democratic)
 * 1. something that is increasing in intensity or seriousness: Democratic resistance to the President's plan is an escalation of partisanship

Synonyms: intensification, aggravation, exacerbation, magnification, amplification, augmentation; expansion, buildup

Antonym: Surge