Tyrese Shoemake

12/12/18
Mrs. Perkins
Period 3
The Debate Over Slavery

The debate over slavery significantly changed during the years between 1844 to 1860

through the increase of abolitionists, and the shift in political parties. However a continuity that

remained would be the mistreatment of slaves.

To contextualize, the years prior to 1844 to 1860 there was the Missouri Compromise,

which allowed Missouri to become a slave state and the creation of Maine as a free state. During

this event the 36-30 line was created in order prohibit slavery above the line. This only halted the

debate over slavery because later on Kansas would become a state and during this the Missouri

Compromise was ignored through the idea of popular sovereignty.

First off, in 1844 to 1860 there was an increase of vocal abolitionists to get rid of slavery.

In the years prior, abolitionists were not as dedicated to their goal such as the American

Colonisation Society, who wanted only to send slaves back to Africa. During the years of 1844

to 1860, abolitionists such a William Lloyd Garrison who was strongly supportive of the

immediate removal of slaves. Frederick Douglas, a slave born abolitionist, who escaped slavery

and used his education to support the removal of slavery. This is a change because it shows the

seriousness that abolitionists displayed on removing slavery in the year 1844 to 1860 rather than

just sending slaves back to Africa.

Another change would be that political parties became more sectional when it came to

getting votes. The Whig party tried to get their votes from all over the country. They did this by

trying their best not to offend voters. While the Republican party strictly focused on the votes in

the north, because their stance on being opposed to slavery expansion would offend voters in the
South. The Republican party and Abe Lincoln was successful in winning the Election of 1860

because the north is more heavily populated allowing them to out vote the south. This is a change

because it displays how much more political parties cared about certain regions in order to gain

support their stance on heated topics in the country, like slavery.

As a continuity, the poor treatment of slaves remained the same. Years prior there were

slave codes which limited the rights of slaves, such as not letting them be able to receive an

education. In the years of 1844 to 1860, plantation owners had the idea of paternalism to justify

their right to keep slaves, because it showed that they took care of them like children. Also

Fugitive Slave laws were forcing the north in to helping the south keep their slaves. This

demonstrates a continuity because it shows how much plantation owners did in order to keep

their slaves by limiting their rights and justifying that slavery is ok.

In conclusion, the debate over slavery greatly changed during the years of 1844-1860

through the increase growth of abolitionists and political parties focus on sectionalism but

remained a continuity through the mistreatment of slaves.