How did moving west change politics in the U.S.? Think about new states joining and the debates about free and slave states
Moving west had a significant impact on politics in the U.S., particularly with regard to the admission of new states and the debates surrounding free and slave states. Here are some key ways in which westward expansion changed politics:
1. Balance of Power: As the country expanded westward, new territories were acquired, and eventually, new states were admitted to the Union. This raised the issue of maintaining a balance between slave and free states. Prior to this expansion, a delicate equilibrium had been maintained between the number of slave states and free states, with the admission of each new state being accompanied by a corresponding counterpart from the opposing side. However, each new state's admission represented a potential shift in political power, leading to intense debates.
2. Missouri Compromise: As territories sought statehood, the issue of allowing slavery in these new states became a major point of contention. In 1820, Congress passed the Missouri Compromise, which allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, but Maine was added as a free state to maintain balance. Additionally, it drew an imaginary line, the 36°30’ parallel, across the Louisiana Territory, stating that all territories south of this line would permit slavery while those north of it would be free. This compromise temporarily eased tensions, but the fundamental issue remained unresolved.
3. Nullification Crisis: Conflict over the issue of slavery intensified with the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War, which resulted in the acquisition of vast territories such as California and New Mexico. As these territories sought statehood, debates arose over whether they should be free or slave states. The Wilmot Proviso, which sought to ban slavery in these territories, was defeated, further driving a wedge between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. The Nullification Crisis of 1832 further deepened the divide, as some southern states threatened to secede over the issue of tariffs and states' rights.
4. Kansas-Nebraska Act and Bleeding Kansas: One of the most significant events arising from the westward expansion was the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. It allowed the residents of the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide whether to permit or ban slavery through popular sovereignty, effectively nullifying the Missouri Compromise. This led to a violent struggle in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, escalating the tensions between North and South and foreshadowing the impending Civil War.
5. Formation of New Political Parties: The debates surrounding westward expansion and the issue of slavery fueled the formation of new political parties. The collapse of established parties like the Whigs and the emergence of the Republican Party, staunchly opposed to the expansion of slavery, exemplified the shifting political landscape. The issue of slavery became a defining factor and ultimately led to the election of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican candidate, which further intensified the conflict and ultimately resulted in the secession of southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War.
Overall, the movement westward profoundly altered the political landscape by bringing the contentious issue of slavery to the forefront of national politics. It created a struggle for power and control in Congress and ultimately divided the country along regional lines, culminating in the eventual eruption of the Civil War.