escalation in slavery
How ?
Slavery had gained boost during 1800s due to the purchase of Louisiana territory in 1803 by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's intentions were to spread republican agrarianism and crush the federalists with his political power, however his lack of surveillance caused to the growth of slavery. Southwestward movement began as the Louisiana territory was purchased. Southern farmers for the suitable land migrated into the new territory. Cotton production had increased the economic growth of south, however for the farmers to maintain their economy needed more slaves to produce more cotton. In 1808, congress passed the law of United States ending the slave trade, but to keep slaves was legal. Even after the law was passed, around 1 million slaves were smuggled into the United States, to maintain the economy but Slavery on the other hand, slavery had gained acceleration due to Louisiana purchase.
Thomas Jefferson was not against the slavery nor was supporting the slavery, However he had hundreds of slaves working for him which states that even though he did knew that Louisiana territory could incline the growth of Slavery, he did not cared about it. Jefferson was only concerned with expansionism and growth of economy, but because of his negligence, he even failed to increased the economy of United States during Embargo Act 1807.
Thomas Jefferson was not against the slavery nor was supporting the slavery, However he had hundreds of slaves working for him which states that even though he did knew that Louisiana territory could incline the growth of Slavery, he did not cared about it. Jefferson was only concerned with expansionism and growth of economy, but because of his negligence, he even failed to increased the economy of United States during Embargo Act 1807.
Cotton and the American slave system
According to this static graph slaves were distributed unevenly in south. The explosive action of Thomas Jefferson by expanding America had turned southerners ideology towards slavery. More than half, 55%, of slaves were working in cotton fields which was the "cash crop" for south. 15% of slaves were house slaves or indenture servants who have to do less work compared than others. tobacco was not the cash crop of south was also produced in large amounts. Slaves were forced to work hard in Mining, Lumbering, industry and construction work. Only 10% of slaves worked in construction in south because, Thomas Jefferson wanted southern part of America to be agrarian republicans.
The Internal Slave Trade
After the expansion of America, slave owners with their slaves were moving towards the west. Many slaves were sold by their owners, to earn money because slaves were property in south. This internal trade had largely expanded during the mid 1800s. As shown in the map above, the red arrows show that owners were migrating with their slaves towards south. Slave trading from Africa was active until the 1808 and were still smuggled after the law was passed.
Internal slave trade created sectional differences between Northern and Southern part of the America. Until the civil war, Louisiana purchase by Thomas Jefferson had contributed in breaking the unity of America because of sectional differences regarding slavery.
Internal slave trade created sectional differences between Northern and Southern part of the America. Until the civil war, Louisiana purchase by Thomas Jefferson had contributed in breaking the unity of America because of sectional differences regarding slavery.