key term - Spread of Slavery to Western Territories

Definition

The Spread of Slavery to Western Territories refers to the expansion of the institution of slavery into newly acquired and organized territories in the United States during the 19th century. This process was deeply intertwined with the idea of Manifest Destiny, as many Americans believed it was their divine right to expand across the continent, bringing both land and their way of life, which included slavery, to these new areas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The expansion of slavery into western territories intensified regional tensions between the North and South, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.
2. The doctrine of Manifest Destiny played a crucial role in justifying the spread of slavery, as many saw it as part of America's destiny to expand its borders.
3. Significant events like the Missouri Compromise established important precedents for how new states would address the issue of slavery.
4. The competition for territory in the West often resulted in violent conflicts, such as those seen in 'Bleeding Kansas,' highlighting the deep divisions over slavery.
5. The failure to reach lasting compromises on slavery led to increased polarization in American politics and society, further entrenching pro-slavery and anti-slavery sentiments.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of Manifest Destiny influence attitudes toward the Spread of Slavery to Western Territories?
  • Manifest Destiny fueled the belief that Americans were destined to expand westward, which often included bringing their institutions, such as slavery, into newly acquired territories. Many proponents argued that expanding slavery was necessary for economic growth and social order. This mindset created a sense of inevitability about westward expansion and justified the extension of slavery into new regions despite growing opposition.
• Discuss the implications of the Missouri Compromise on the Spread of Slavery to Western Territories.
  • The Missouri Compromise was significant because it attempted to balance the interests of slave and free states as new territories were being settled. It allowed for Missouri to enter as a slave state while Maine became a free state, establishing a geographical line for future territories. However, this compromise also highlighted the contentious nature of slavery in America, setting a precedent for future conflicts over whether new states would permit slavery and paving the way for further legislative battles like the Compromise of 1850.
• Evaluate how the Spread of Slavery to Western Territories contributed to the escalation of sectional conflict leading up to the Civil War.
  • The Spread of Slavery to Western Territories was a major factor that escalated sectional conflict because it brought deeply contrasting views on slavery into direct competition. Legislative attempts like the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed popular sovereignty, leading to violent clashes such as 'Bleeding Kansas.' As both sides sought control over new territories, tensions heightened significantly, reinforcing divisions within Congress and society. Ultimately, these conflicts helped create an environment ripe for civil strife as compromises failed and both pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions grew increasingly entrenched in their positions.

Related terms

Missouri Compromise:

An agreement passed in 1820 that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state while establishing a line that determined which territories would allow slavery.

Compromise of 1850: A series of laws aimed at resolving conflicts between free and slave states, including the admission of California as a free state and the implementation of a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.

Kansas-Nebraska Act:

A law enacted in 1854 that allowed residents of the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery, leading to violent conflict known as 'Bleeding Kansas.'