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Importation of slaves ends
This was a political and economic event, as it allowed Congress to ban the international slave trade in America. It was a political move that reflected the further dividing opinions between the states and growing pressures. Economically, slaves began to be a commodity, hence it caused economic shifts. -
The Missouri Compromise/The Compromise of 1820
This was a political even, as Missouri was admitted into the states, keeping the balance in the Senate by being a slave state. It was a political effort to balance regional power and ease westward expansion tensions. -
The Wilmot Proviso
This was a political and social event, as it proposed to ban slavery in new territories gained in the Mexican-American war. Though it wasn't passed the act continued to grow division between the North and South, highlighting social changes. Thus it was a political act that inspired social changes. -
The Compromise of 1850
This was a compromise with the goal of easing tensions, within it, California was admitted as a free state as DC banned slave trade, and fugitive slave laws were stricter. Because of the new slave rules, although it was a political compromise, the changes inspired affected labor systems, making it an economic change. -
1854: The Kansas Nebraska Act
This was a political reform that repealed the Missouri Compromise, as it let settlers decide of slavery rather than the topography. By ignoring the previously agreed terms, political tensions were ignited and violence followed, deepening tensions between the North and South. -
The Fugitive Slave Act
This was a political, social, and economic act that affected the freedom of runaway slaves, as it required citizens to help capture them. Northerners disliked this are many were turned from slavery altogether, causing social changes, and spread fear amongst African American communities. Economic changes occurred as the slave system was reconfigured, and political effects occurred as the government strengthened the enforcement of slavery. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
This was a social event, specifically a novel by Jarriet Beecher Stow that depicted the issue of slavery. It had ripples in the cultural sphere, especially in the North where ideas of abolishing slavery were intensified. Though there weren't any notable economic or political effects, the powerful social influence ultimately shaped society of the time. -
Bleeding Kansas
This was a political and social period of violence of ideals between the North and South ideals in Kansas, showing the breakdown of peaceful political movements to the social slavery debate, ultimately resulting in physical violence between the two parties. -
The Caning of Charles Sumner
This was a political and social event where Senator Sumner gave a passionate speech opposing slavery, and as a result was beaten by Representative Preston Brooks. This political attack showed how deep the divide was with slavery, and socially, it enraged the Northern populace whilst pleasing the Southerners. -
The Dred Scott Decision
This was a political and economic decision as it was the Supreme Court's ruling that African Americans were not citizens and Congress couldn't ban slavery in the territories. This was a major political decision and huge victory for the Southerners, and ultimately caused economic changes as well as it allowed for the expansion of the slave economy and prevented restriction efforts from the North