The situation that was affected by whether a state was admitted as a free state or a slave state was the balance of power in the United States regarding the issue of slavery. The admission of a state as a free state or a slave state had implications for the number of free states and slave states in the Union, which in turn impacted the representation in Congress and the ability to pass legislation related to slavery. It also shaped the debate on whether territories should allow or prohibit slavery as they sought statehood. This issue ultimately contributed to the tensions leading up to the American Civil War.
