What was the impact that slavery played on American politics from 1820–1861?

Answer 1

Slavery had a significant impact on American politics during the years 1820-1861, leading up to the Civil War. Some key impacts of slavery on American politics during this period include:

1. Expansion of slavery: The issue of whether new states would be admitted to the Union as free or slave states became a major point of contention, leading to the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise of 1850. These agreements sought to preserve the balance between free and slave states in Congress, but ultimately failed to address the underlying tensions over slavery's expansion.

2. Sectionalism: The divide between the North and South over the issue of slavery became increasingly pronounced during this period. The North viewed slavery as morally wrong and incompatible with the principles of the Declaration of Independence, while the South defended slavery as essential to its economy and way of life.

3. Fugitive Slave Law: The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a controversial law that required Northern states to return escaped slaves to their owners in the South. This heightened tensions between abolitionists and supporters of slavery, and contributed to the growing divide between the North and South.

4. Rise of the Republican Party: The Republican Party emerged as a major political force in the North in response to the expansion of slavery. Founded in 1854, the party opposed the spread of slavery into the new territories and sought to preserve the Union. The election of Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln in 1860 ultimately precipitated the secession of Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War.

Overall, the issue of slavery was a central and divisive issue in American politics during the years 1820-1861, ultimately leading to the rupture of the Union and the deadliest conflict in American history.