Contextualizing the Debate on Slavery: Territorial Expansion (1840-1860)

In the years leading up to the American Civil War, various social, political, and economic factors contributed to heightened tensions between the Northern and Southern states. One major element was the expansion of slavery into new territories, which sparked significant debates regarding the status of newly acquired lands and their ability to allow slavery. Analyze how the contextual factors surrounding territorial expansion influenced the national debate on slavery in the United States from 1840 to 1860.