Growing Westward Expansion

In the early nineteenth century, America had begun its’ expansion. President Thomas Jefferson had purchased the Louisiana territory from France in 1803. The Louisiana Purchase extended from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from Canada to New Orleans. With the purchase of this territory, Amercian had begun its’ journey moving westward. As America and the possibilities of independence expanded, the institution of slavery also expanded. Therefore, discussion about whether or not slavery would be allowed in the new western states grew amongst people. As a result, compromises were developed and established such as the Missouri compromise of 1820. Overall, the growth of slavery in the early to mid-nineteenth century led to a growing …show more content…
After purchasing the Louisiana territory from France, states were beginning to flourish in the western area. This meant the possibility of an increase in the population of slaves and an economic boost. For instance, in 1790 the population of slaves was at 697,624 and by 1810 the population of slaves rose to 1,191,362 (Unit 4, PWP). The increase of population of slaves by the early nineteenth century marked the beginning when the meaning of freedom and the institution of slavery diverged. The majority of slaves existed in the South because of the production of cotton. A small amount of 6.2 percent of free slaves existed in the south because the rest of the slaves who were not free were used to perform labors such as picking cotton (Unit 4, PWP). After the invention of the cotton gin, high demand for cotton was on the rise. As a result, a high population of slaves in the South meant an increase of profit. However, with new territory, slaves saw this as a chance to escape to the North. From here on out Americans began to meet the challenge of adding territory and whether to extend slavery. Southerners believed that slaves were neither citizens nor had rights, they were property. However, Northerners believed slavery was unlawful. Frederick Douglas argues that every “man is entitled to liberty” and that slaves are their “rightful owners” of their own bodies(Unit 4, Douglas). Due to so much debate, the …show more content…
Abraham Lincoln disliked slavery, therefore Southerners saw Lincoln’s run for the presidency as a threat to the institution of slavery. They wanted to maintain the institution of slavery and their meaning of freedom, so Confederate states began to secede. The institution of slavery was the South’s economic platform. For instance, the deep south was known for their agriculture business of cotton. They used slave labor because it was cheap and efficient. With Lincoln’s as president, Southerners knew that he would want to abolish slavery. Therefore, the only way they saw themselves maintaining the institution of slavery was by seceding. In Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address he “declared secession legally void”(Unit 4, The American Yawp). He disagreed with Confederate states secession from America. Abraham Lincoln’s ideas were similar to Frederick Douglas’s ideas. Douglas argues that America has blinded themselves from the true American freedom. He tries to draw attention to the equality slaves deserve by affirming the equal manhood of the Negro race (Unit 4, Douglas). Lastly, stating that America has become a hypocrite, drawing attention to federal laws that are in favor of slavery. As president, Lincoln’s sees it as an opportunity to amend the Constitution for the greater good of America. However, Southerners see this a threat, so