Slavery Americans in favor of the anti-slavery movement and the hindrance of the expansion of slavery throughout the states have used moral and political tactics to combat slavery enthusiasts. Henry Clay’s Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas- Nebraska act are great examples of the moves made by the movement. In making the decision of whether a state was to be a free state or a slave state many northerners and southerners conflicted against each other. Many In opposition to slavery resided in the north while those in favor of slavery resided in the south. With a country divided many political advancements inspired by moral obligations were made.
At the end of the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, the U.S had gained California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was created to regulate slavery because of the growing westward expansion. After the failed attempt of slavery regulation, the Compromise of 1850 was created. The Compromise of 1850 was created to hinder the conflict growing between the North and South regarding the issue of whether a state was determined to be a slave state or a free state. Created in 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska Act, allocated for settlers to move out to the Kansas and Nebraska territories to farm and expand the transcontinental railroad. Soon thereafter the issue of slavery had become more apparent, popular sovereignty was issued to try and resolve the growing animosity associated with slavery.
Many northerners were opposed to the idea of slavery, their perception of slavery was that it was morally wrong and against the idea of equality from within the constitution. In the Compromise of 1850, California became a Free State, and Utah as well as New Mexico would use popular sovereignty to determine whether or not the individual states would become free or slave. In retaliation, the South created the Fugitive Slave Acts. The fugitive slave act were amongst the issues that would arise if a slave were captured, they then would immediately return the individual to their slave owner.
Inspired by the Kansas-Nebraska act was the John Brown Raid in 1859. John Brown was an abolitionist leader and created a raid seizing a U.S arsenal at Harper’s Ferry