Analyze the ways in which controversy over the extension of slavery into western territories contributed

to the coming of the civil war. Confine your answer to the period 1845-1861.
In the years leading up to the Civil War, many questions revolving around the expansion of
slavery arose. First, arguments arose over whether newly gained territories, such as California and the
Mexican Cession, would allow slavery or not. Secondly, the Industrial Revolution caused the demand for
cotton to increase immensely. Because cotton was in so high of a demand, the need for slavery
expansion also increased. At the same time, this caused the Abolitionism movement to increase, for
they were very much against the expansion of slavery. Lastly, the Gag Resolution caused more
separation because it was biased against Abolitionists. This caused a bigger hatred for those who were
pro-slavery. While territorial expansion, the Industrial Revolution, and the Gag Resolution did not
directly result in the Civil War, they all started arguments that may have led to the war being waged.

The United States had greatly increased in size during the years prior to the Civil War. Newly
gained land such as the Mexican Cession and California immensely increased the Country’s
demographic. With the newly gained territories came the want from southerners to expand slavery into
the territories. David Wilmot attempted to stop this by drawing up the Wilmot Proviso, which would
prohibit slavery in the territories gained during the Mexican Cession. Although never passed, the Wilmot
Proviso gained much support from the north, but no support from the south, drawing a wedge between
the two sides. Next, when California’s population grew big enough that it could be added to the union,
California wanted to be added as a free state. This upset the south because it would upset the previous
balance of free states and slave states, giving slave states a disadvantage. This caused the wedge
between the north and south to increase even more.

The Industrial Revolution created a higher demand for the south’s cotton, as it was used in
textile mills in the north. With the higher demand for cotton came the higher demand for slavery, so
that the south could maintain the north’s cotton needs. The want for slavery expansion brought with it
an increase in the Abolitionist movement. The Abolitionists sought for the immediate end to slavery,
and any ideas regarding slavery expansion greatly angered abolitionists. This inspired John Brown and
his few followers to seize a federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry and hold a slave rebellion. This caused
worry amongst southerners regarding abolitionism, for they now viewed them as extremists. This also
caused the split between the north and the south to widen even more.

Another event which drew the north and south away from each other even more was the
passing of the Gag Resolution. Pushed through the House of Representatives by pro-slavery southerners,
this prohibited any debate or action on anti-slavery appeals. This very much angered the abolitionists
who felt the Gag Resolution was unfair and very biased. This caused an increased hatred for the south,
since the Abolitionists felt their freedom of speech on the topic of anti- slavery was being taken away,
since their appeals were just pushed to the side without a chance for further action to take place. This
caused the north, and especially the Abolitionists to despise those who were pro- slavery.

One even prior to those between 1845-1861, pertaining to the expansion of slavery, was the
Missouri Compromise. In order to maintain the balance of free states and slave states in the Union, this
compromise allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state while bringing in Maine as a free state. This
appeased both free and slave states. Years later when California wanted to enter the union as a free
state, slave states became angry because the balance would be upset. If the problem with California had
been handled like the Missouri Compromise, arguments that led to the civil war could have been
avoided entirely.

While territorial expansion, the Industrial Revolution, and the Gag Resolution did not directly
result in the civil war, they all started arguments that may have led to the war being waged. If these
issues had been settled with compromise rather than argument and debate, the Civil War could have
possibly been avoided and the question of slavery could have been solved in a more peaceful manner.