Question

Total Number of Enslaved Peoples Living in the United States

Year | Number of Slaves
1790 | 697,897
1800 | 893,041
1810 | 1,191,364
1820 | 1,539,038
1830 | 2,009,050
1840 | 2,487,455
1850 | 3,204,313
1860 | 3,953,760


Use the chart to answer the question.

Based on the chart, how did westward expansion affect slavery in the United States between 1820 and 1850?

The enslaved population roughly doubled as several new slave states were admitted to the Union.

The enslaved population decreased as the U.S. economy became less dependent on agriculture.

The enslaved population remained roughly the same but its percentage of the total population skyrocketed.

The enslaved population remained roughly the same as the new states admitted to the Union were largely free.

Answer 1

Based on the chart, the enslaved population roughly doubled from 1,539,038 in 1820 to 3,204,313 in 1850 as the United States expanded westward and several new slave states were admitted to the Union. This substantial increase in the number of enslaved individuals indicates that westward expansion was accompanied by the growth and extension of the institution of slavery into new territories and states.