Slavery and Westward Expansion

  • Importation of Slaves Ends

    Prior to the year 1808 importation of slaves was not limited. Although, they could impose a tax before that point. This was a social, political, and economic notion that evoked upset in slave owners as it would prevent further increase in income.
  • The Missouri Compromise

    It stated that Maine was a free state while Missouri was a slave state. Land Northwest of Missouri were also free soil. This was a political event that caused many abolitionists to be happier because these new states were for their cause. On the other hand, slavers were upset because they felt like they had less power in the government through these actions.
  • The Wilmot Proviso

    It prevented further slavery in areas the United States received after the Mexican War. This was another political event that led to abolitionists being happier. This also showed the loss in power in the government for slavers and caused tensions to rise between the groups.
  • The Compromise of 1850

    It states, California entered the United States as a free state and territories from the Mexican Cession broke the land into Utah and New Mexico area. It also introduced a fugitive slave act. This was a political act that caused both parties, anti and pro slavery to respond negatively and positively. Abolitionist were happy that California was a free state while
  • The Fugitive Slave Act

    It allowed people to retrieve slaves that had ran away into other lands. This was a political and social adjustment, as many abolitionists were upset with the outcome. Slavers were happy because it allowed them to bring back their workers on their farmer and economically it was better for them.
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin

    Uncle Tom's Cabin was a book published by Harriet Beecher Stowe which was against slavery. It was a social event that changed the way many people viewed slavery. Abraham Lincoln later went on to say that Harriet Beecher Stowe was the "little woman who wrote the book that started this great war!" In many ways Uncle Tom's Cabin brought people to action about the matters of slavery.
  • The Kansas Nebraska Act

    The act made the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. It repealed the Missouri compromise. The Missouri Compromise said that Maine was a slave state. This was a political act that evoked tension between the two parties as the pro-slavery lost another slave state.
  • Bleeding Kansas

    Massive fighting between pro-slavery and abolishers. This was socially bad for the United States as it showed the cracks in relationships and caused breaks in relationships between its citizens.
  • The Caning of Charles Sumner

    It was an attack by a pro-slavery Democrat against an anti-slavery Republican, in South Carolina. This was a social matter which stirred anger into many communities. Many people started viewing the previous matters between the two parties as less of an argument and more of a battle for control.
  • The Dred Scott Decision

    Dred Scott went to court because he was still enslaved along with his family after being in free states. He lost the majority of his rulings and ultimately caused tensions to rise in the United States. This was a political matter which caused many people who were against slavery to be upset because it overruled many of the laws set in place.