Between 1820 through 1860, which two issues dominated the United States politics? Trust and economic growth, national security and law, the environment and states rights, westward expansion and slavery
The two dominant issues in United States politics between 1820 and 1860 were westward expansion and slavery.
Between 1820 through 1860, two issues that dominated United States politics were westward expansion and slavery.
To understand this, we can examine the historical context and major events during that period.
First, let's look at westward expansion. During this era, there was a significant push for territorial expansion of the United States towards the western frontier. The belief in "Manifest Destiny" fueled the idea that it was the nation's destiny to expand its boundaries from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This expansion involved the acquisition of new territories, such as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the annexation of Texas in 1845, and the acquisition of lands from Mexico through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The issue of how to handle these new territories and whether they would be admitted as free or slave states became a heated political debate.
Second, slavery was a deeply divisive and morally charged issue during this time. Slavery existed in the United States since the colonial era, but the question of its expansion into newly acquired territories became a central point of contention. The North, which was more industrialized and less reliant on slave labor, increasingly opposed the spread of slavery into new states and territories. The South, on the other hand, relied heavily on slavery for their agrarian economy and sought to protect and expand the institution. These conflicting viewpoints led to intense political battles in Congress, ultimately culminating in the American Civil War in 1861.
In summary, the dominant issues in United States politics between 1820 and 1860 were westward expansion and slavery. Understanding the historical context, major events, and the viewpoints of different regions helps shed light on why these issues took such prominence during this period.
Between 1820 through 1860, the two issues that dominated United States politics were:
1. Westward Expansion: During this period, there was a strong desire to expand the territorial boundaries of the United States, which led to conflicts over land acquisition and the extension of slavery into newly acquired territories.
2. Slavery: The issue of slavery was a major dividing factor in American politics during this time. The country was deeply divided between the North, which largely opposed slavery, and the South, which relied heavily on the institution. Debates over slavery played a central role in the political discourse of the period and eventually led to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.