Events that Led to Institutionalization of Slavery During Westward Expansion

Essay Instructions:

Midterm Essay Prompt:
Discuss the perpetuation and expansion of black slavery in the United States between 1776 and 1860. In other words, what events and situations caused and/or allowed the institution of slavery to continue to exist and spread as the United States population grew and pushed westward.
Midterm Essay #2 Prompt: Discuss the perpetuation and expansion of black slavery in the United States between 1776 and 1860. In other words, what events and situations caused and/or allowed the institution of slavery to continue to exist and spread as the United States population grew and pushed westward. (This paper is due at the end of the semester.)
Some thoughts about the final midterm essay:
As always, pay careful attention to the actual question regarding the perpetuation and expansion of slavery. I think “expansion” is obvious in meaning-- the spread of slavery physically into new areas. By “perpetuation” I mean the continued existence of slavery as an institution. So, in this essay do not talk about abolition or emancipation; those are limiting or ending slavery. Rather focus on events and ideas that will cause and allow slavery to spread and continue to be. Pay attention also to the time frame given in the question—between 1776 and roughly 1860. So, no need at all to give any background on the beginnings of slavery, just jump right in.
I would probably move chronologically. Here are some ideas (This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of everything you might cover.) Also, since I’m giving you some ideas, you need to do more than just give them back to me. Flesh them out and make them your own.
So, I’d start in 1776 and the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson here avoided protecting slavery yes but also avoided limiting it when he changed “property” to pursuit of happiness. Consider also the excerpt condemning slavery that congress did not approve. Next, I’d look at the situation in the early 1780s of the federal government giving control of western lands in the South to southern state governments in order to protect against secessionist movements. This of course inadvertently allowed for the spread of the institution of slavery. Consider some things about the 1787 US Constitution, especially the so-called three-fifths compromise.
Does it mention slavery? What might this imply? Consider also some industrial/economic factors as well like the 1793 invention of the cotton gin. Think also about how religion in the South helped to perpetuate slavery.
Here’s some other events to look at and figure how they play into the situation:
1820 Missouri compromise
Compromise of 1850
1854 Kansas Nebraska Act
1857 Dred Scott Decision
This should get you all started, let me know if you have further questions. As always, be sure to carefully edit and proofread.
Midterm Essay Guidelines:
For full credit, answers must be written at a college level and in your own words. Do not simply copy the textbook. Be sure to answer the question completely. NOTE: The response to each midterm exam prompt needs to be no less than 750 words in length or about 2.5 pages in 12 point font. Use Times font in 12 point size, double spaced with 1 inch margins. Be sure to include footnote citations and works cited. The assignment is only from one source from "America", which would be the only one in the works cited. Include an accurate word count at the end of the essay that does NOT include footnotes or works cited. Students should be sure their name is typewritten at the top corner of the assignment. Plagiarism is not accepted.

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Events that led to Institutionalization of Slavery During Westward Expansion
The westward expansion of the 19th century is often regarded as the era when the adventurous Americans and those seeking freedom took advantage of the land of opportunity to the west of the Mississippi River, playing a major role in the U.S. Gilded Age (Sanchez 6). In a cohort with the Congress, the U.S. presidents of the time were pushing for the continental expansion, leading to the mass migration of the southerners and those living in the east to invade the west that had initially been inhabited by the natives (Shi and Tindall 556). However, the expansion towards the west also became a period when most people, particularly the blacks, experienced intensified and continued control by the white settlers to provide slave labor for their vast plantations. Several factors dating back to 1776 and the 19th century contributed to the acknowledgment of the institution of slavery during the westward expansion.
The Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the subsequent formulation of the U.S Constitution strongly upheld the institution of slavery. The Declaration of Independence was meant to free the white settlers from British rule, and attempts were also made to free African Americans from the control of white tyrants (Simpson 20). Despite the Declaration of Independence clearly stating that all men are created equal in its preamble, the document did not condemn or halt any form of inequality, including enslaving of African Americans. The Emancipation of the Americans from British rule through the Declaration of Independence paved way for the enactment of the U.S. Constitution that further contributed to the institutionalization of slavery.
Apart from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the support of slavery by some delegates allowed the continuation of slavery. The delegates from the southern states, who were strongly in support of slavery, opposed the idea of emancipating the enslaved (Pfander and Joffroy 1975). To appease the southern delegates, a clause in the Constitution, later termed the three-fifths clause, counted each slave as three-fifths of a person while forging a lasting solution in the congressional representation and taxation (Shi and Tindall 262). The three-fifth clause demeaned the value of the enslaved as opposed to their anticipation of emancipation post the revolutionary war. It set the stage for continued harassment and bondage of African Americans. Besides, neither the Declaration of Independence nor the Constitution openly denounced the slave trade, and the delegates including Jefferson were even slave owners.
Also, the invention of the Cotton Gin in 1793 by Eli Whitney played a significant part in the perpetuation of slavery (Wright 356). Removing the seeds from the cotton had been a tedious task up until the late 18th century, where one person could spend the entire day separating one pound of cottonseed, which made cotton products relatively expensive and scarce (Shi and Tindall 262). The Cotton Gin was an invention that worked fifty times more efficiently than humans in separating cottonseed, revolutionizing agriculture in the southern states, in...

Updated on January 26, 2024

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Events that Led to Institutionalization of Slavery During Westward Expansion

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