How Did African Americans Contribute To Conflict

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Many issues in 1860 led to conflict and tore our Nation apart. Some were civil rights related, some were common sense related but all led to an armed conflict and separated families, and a Nation. One of the most heated topics that led to the destruction of our Nation was slavery. The States were divided among themselves. You had many Southern States including Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri that were pro slavery. These states were rich in farm land and landowners felt slaves were a vital part of the production , running, and harvesting of their crops. There were Northern States that were very anti slavery and felt slavery of any form for any reason was immoral and took away freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States. Many of these states were becoming industrialized and included jobs in factories and shipyards for all people. There were also states known as Free Territories. These states allowed slavery if a landowner wished but also provided freedom within that state. The state was run by popular sovereignty meaning it was up to the people to decide. …show more content…

This compromise stated every thing north of a specific longitude and latitude were never allowed to become slave states. The Missouri Compromise was violated by a Senator in a free state upsetting citizens in other states. This was seen as a slap in the face of those that viewed slavery as a vital part of their way of life. Many people of the time had very deeply rooted feelings and traditions that either supported or loathed slavery. Each group was trying to force their personal beliefs on each other which helped fuel a long building rift. In an attempt to repair a fracturing nation many more laws and orders were passed by Congress and by State governments. Many of these laws were met with opposition on both