Analyze the impact that slavery played on American politics between 1820–1861
Slavery had a significant impact on American politics during the years 1820–1861, leading ultimately to the outbreak of the Civil War. The issue of slavery divided the nation along geographical, economic, and political lines, exacerbating tensions between the Northern and Southern states.
One of the key events that highlighted the impact of slavery on American politics during this period was the Missouri Compromise of 1820. This agreement allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state while Maine entered as a free state, maintaining a balance between free and slave states in the Senate. However, the Missouri Compromise also established a line across the Louisiana Territory, with slavery prohibited north of the line. This division heightened sectional tensions and set the stage for future conflicts over the expansion of slavery into new territories.
The issue of slavery continued to play a central role in American politics with the debate over the admission of new states and the question of whether they would be free or slave states. The Compromise of 1850 attempted to address these issues by admitting California as a free state while enacting a stricter Fugitive Slave Law. However, this compromise only temporarily eased tensions and did not resolve the underlying conflict over slavery.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 further intensified the debate over slavery by allowing popular sovereignty in the territories, allowing settlers to decide whether to permit slavery. This led to violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces in Kansas, earning the territory the nickname "Bleeding Kansas." These events further polarized the nation and deepened the divide between the North and South.
The election of Abraham Lincoln as President in 1860 was a turning point in American politics, as his opposition to the expansion of slavery prompted Southern states to secede from the Union. The secession of the Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America ultimately led to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.
In conclusion, slavery had a profound impact on American politics between 1820 and 1861, shaping debates over statehood, territorial expansion, and the balance of power between free and slave states. The conflict over slavery led to the disintegration of the Union and the bloodiest war in American history, underscoring the deep divisions caused by this institution in the United States.