THE MORAL ARGUMENTS AND POLITICAL ACTIONS OF THOSE OPPOSED T

             * ASSESS THE MORAL ARGUMENTS AND POLITICAL ACTIONS OF THOSE OPPOSED TO THE SPREAD OF SLAVERY IN THE CONTEXT OF TWO OF THE FOLLOWING.
             In the 18th and 19th centuries, land was a major commodity as the U.S. was able to collect large amounts of it and expand its territories all the way to the Pacific Ocean.  With these lands came the issue of slavery.  There were many people that opposed the institution of slavery while others who supported it.  There were moral arguments that were made that stated it was a gross violation of a sacred pledge to allow slavery to exist.  While others believed that slavery in new territories would mean more power for the south, many northerners opposed.  These debates led to growing disputes amongst both sides and southerners spoke of secession in the south endlessly. 
                         In 1819, the key issue of slavery was brought up when a debate arose of whether to admit Missouri as a slave or free state into the United States.  Many people who lived in Missouri were of southern descent and had moved there in order to seek land for farming.  Many of these people pushed for slavery and wanted Missouri to become a slave state.  However, doing so would create a shift in government, as the South would gain more power.  Finally, in 1820, the Missouri Compromise was made, which was engineered by Henry Clay.  It stated that Missouri would enter as a slave state however Maine, formerly a part of Massachusetts, will be admitted as a free state.  In addition, a prohibition on slavery was made on any land above the 36-30 parallel, the southern boundary of Missouri.  This ultimately saved the Union from its first great sectional crisis over slavery, however many more were inevitable.
                         In the mid 1800's, the idea of a transcontinental railroad was proposed that would run from the western parts of the U.S. to the eastern cities.  This would help to spread American democr...

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THE MORAL ARGUMENTS AND POLITICAL ACTIONS OF THOSE OPPOSED T. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 07:52, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/25662.html