In 1808 the external slave trade was banned as shown in the U.S. Constitution. This would become a problem as cotton production, known as Cotton King in the mid 19th century, demand grew exponentially. ⅔ of all U.S. exports consisted of cotton and ¾ of the entire world’s supply of cotton was made in the southern United States. New technologies like the cotton gin in 1793 were made to improve the production of cotton, making it easier to make other products from cotton. The cotton gin shifted the supply and demand curve. Cotton plantations needed labor to meet demand and supply to make more profit. Luckily, for them tabacco demand fell and prices dropped. To solve the problem …show more content…
The Fugutive Slave Act forced civilians to take part in capturing and returning runaway slaves to the south otherwise to face a federal penalty. Many abolitionist hated this act becuase it forced them to participate as well. Otherwise, they would be commiting a crime against federal law. Free slaves hated this becuase there was no right to a jury. If a free slave was acused of being a runaway there was than no way of stoping them from being enslaved and moved towards the south. Thankfully, by abolitionist in northern states as a direct response the Fugitive Slave Act, they eventually passed the Personal Liberty Laws. Personal Liberty Laws required a fair hearing with evidence inorder to take an accused slave. The law also forbade state officials from helping runaway slaves. Northernors wanted to keep slavery contained so, they continued to make strides like this against slavery as this being one of many examples in U.S. …show more content…
Mexican War was basically a fight over land. Originally owned by Mexico, many cotton owners who wanted to expand moved into Texas taking slaves with them. In the 1830s Mexico had outlawed slavery and many of the slave owners didn’t want to comply. So, Texans revolted creating the Texan Republic and soon joined the United States. The annexation of Texas wasn’t just a sign of war to Mexico but put large amount of pressure on the United States. As the U.S. now had to contimplate the future expanision of slavery. When Texas became a state, abolitistionist became fearful becuase now there were more supporters of slavery in congress. An example of Abolitionist fears, was the Wilmont Proviso of 1846, even though it didn’t pass it, tried to prevent slavery on any land gained from Mexico besides Texas since, it was already apart of the United States. If more land was to be gained by the south, the aboltionist feared they wouldn’t be able to get rid of slavery since it would have too much power in the senate. Meaning any law against slavery would be