Since the creation of the United States, sectional differences between the North and the South had pulled them in opposing directions and caused them to not see eye to eye on multiple issues. The differences between the two had become extremely apparent in the cultures of the traditional Antebellum South and the progressively industrial North. These sectional tensions grew even tighter with the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852, the violence in the Senate between Charles Sumner and Andrew Butler in 1856, and the contentious decision of whether to extend slavery into the newly acquired western territories. During the period of 1845-1861, growing westward expansion, temporary-fix political acts, and unsatisfactory political conditions all contributed to the dispute of broadening the legal slave territory,
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In 1845, President Tyler annexed Texas as a slave state because it was below the 36°30’ line created by the Missouri Compromise of 1820. By adding a new, large slave state, southern power was increased while this addition in no way benefited the North. When Polk, a democrat, took office in 1844 he promised that he would acquire Oregon. He originally planned to take the whole territory away from the British and used the slogan “54°40’ or Fight”. After negotiations, the US ended up with the territory below the 49th parallel. Shortly after this, the US acquired present day California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This huge acquisition initiated many altercations of if slavery should be allowed in the new territory. With a ton of new land, sectional differences divided the North and the South on the important decision of the extension of slavery.
Short-term gaining political acts also contributed to the rising pressure over the extension of slavery. The Compromise of 1850 brought back the Fugitive Slave Law that was described in the Constitution, but this time it was enforced much
In 1845, President Tyler annexed Texas as a slave state because it was below the 36°30’ line created by the Missouri Compromise of 1820. By adding a new, large slave state, southern power was increased while this addition in no way benefited the North. When Polk, a democrat, took office in 1844 he promised that he would acquire Oregon. He originally planned to take the whole territory away from the British and used the slogan “54°40’ or Fight”. After negotiations, the US ended up with the territory below the 49th parallel. Shortly after this, the US acquired present day California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This huge acquisition initiated many altercations of if slavery should be allowed in the new territory. With a ton of new land, sectional differences divided the North and the South on the important decision of the extension of slavery.
Short-term gaining political acts also contributed to the rising pressure over the extension of slavery. The Compromise of 1850 brought back the Fugitive Slave Law that was described in the Constitution, but this time it was enforced much