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Importation of slaves ends
This banned slave trade and the importation of slaves. This did not end slavery, just the importation of them and would actually increase labor. -
The Missouri compromise
The Missouri Compromise made Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state. This was political as to keep the number of slave and free states the same and not raise tensions. It also banned slavery above the 36 30 latitude line. This effected westward expansion because states above that line had to be free. -
The Wilmot Proviso
This banned slavery in any land/territory that was acquired as a result of the Mexican American War. This effected westward expansion because it gave the north more power as these territory's could never be slave states. -
The Fugitive Slave Act
This required the federal government to assist slaveholders in finding escaped slaves. The Marshals who were unwilling to fulfill their duties were faced with a 1000 dollar fine. This effected the westward expansion because it made it harder for slaves to escape. -
The Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 was made up of 5 different bills to try and resolve dispute over slavery in new US territories. Senator Clay and Douglas helped create the compromise after the Mexican-American War. It also strengthened The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was an abolitionist novel written by Harriet B. Stowe. This book caught the attention of white readers in the north because the experience of slavery was exaggerated. This book was about an African American who went through slavery. It showed readers the struggles of being an enslaved person. -
The Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise. This allowed settlers of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether they wanted a free or slave state using popular sovereignty. This was social because it emphasized the democracy and the rights the states had because the people got to choose and not the federal government. This effected the westward expansion because it added two more states that only kept adding tension to the country. -
Bleeding Kansas
The Bleeding Kansas took place for about 4 years. It was a time of constant guerrilla warfare between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces. There was tons of murder, mayhem, destruction and physiological warfare which eventually led to the Civil War. This effected the westward expansion because it raised tensions and was social. -
The Caning of Charles Sumner
The Caning of Charles Sumner took place in May of 1856 in the Senate chamber. Charles Sumner who was an abolitionist, was attacked by Representative Preston Brooks. Preston Brooks was pro-slavery. This was social, as after Sumner's speech Brooks was enraged and charged the senate floor. -
The Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision was a case which decided that slaves were not entitled to freedom, even if they resided in a free state or territory. This meant that African Americans could never be citizens of the United States. This was a social as he had a right to be free and it was mostly the opinion of the people involved that effected the case. The effected the westward expansion because it made people question the laws and what freedoms enslaved people had.