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== Slavery 1800-1840 ==

== Slavery 1800-1840 ==

The importation of slaves into the United States was banned by Congress at the first available opportunity allowed by the slavery compromise in the Constitution:  1808.  But slavery remained the foundation of the economy of many southern states, particularly South Carolina.  The dispute over slavery increasingly divided the North, many of whom opposed it, from the South, many of whom relied on it.

The ''importation'' of slaves into the United States was banned by Congress at its first available opportunity, as allowed by the slavery compromise in the Constitution:  1808.  But slavery remained the foundation of the economy of many southern states, particularly South Carolina.  The dispute over slavery increasingly divided the North, many of whom opposed it, from the South, many of whom relied on it.

An example was the Tallmadge Amendment proposed in the Senate in 1820.  It would have outlawed further slave importation into Missouri and also would have freed older slaves.  But it was defeated because the South was insistent that slave continued to be allowed and even expanded.

An example of the divisiveness of the slavery issue was the Tallmadge Amendment proposed in the Senate in 1820.  It would have outlawed further slave importation into Missouri and also would have freed older slaves.  But it was defeated because the South was insistent that slavery continue, and even expand.

Why expanded?  One reason is that the South feared being outvoted by the North in the Senate if the states abolishing slavery outnumbered the states using it.  Slavery thereby became caught up in politics and many bitter conflicts over it occurred in the early 1800s.  The Missouri Compromise of 1820, discussed above, settled some issues but by no means all of them.

Why would some want to expand slavery?  One reason was that the South feared being outvoted by the North in the Senate if the states abolishing slavery outnumbered the states using it.  Slavery thereby became caught up in politics and many bitter conflicts over it continued to occur.  The Missouri Compromise of 1820, discussed above, settled some issues but by no means all of them.

In 1831, Nat Turner led slave revolt in Virginia, and 57 whites died.  That same year William Lloyd Garrison, a fiery Puritan abolitionist in Massachusetts, started the "Liberator" newspaper to demand an end to slavery.  Two years later, he founded the American Antislavery Society along with others who opposed the institution of slavery

In 1831, Nat Turner led slave revolt in Virginia, and 57 whites died.  That same year William Lloyd Garrison, a fiery Puritan abolitionist in Massachusetts, started the "Liberator" newspaper to demand an end to slavery.  Two years later, he founded the American Antislavery Society along with others who opposed the institution of slavery.

By 1836 it became nearly impossible for Congress to function due to the repeated conflicts that would arise over slavery and many other issues that were related to slavery.  Paralyzed, Congress instituted a "gag rule" from 1836 to 1844 to prohibit its members from circulating proposals concerning slavery, especially abolitionism (prohibition on slavery).

By 1836 it became nearly impossible for Congress to function due to the repeated conflicts that would arise over slavery and many other issues that were related to slavery.  Paralyzed, Congress instituted a "gag rule" from 1836 to 1844 to prohibit its members from circulating proposals concerning slavery, especially abolitionism (prohibition on slavery).

Then, in 1837, a horrific murder demonstrated that the continued existence of slavery threatened the constitutional rights of free speech and freedom of the press.  Elijah Lovejoy, an antislavery newspaper publisher, was murdered in Alton, Illinois by a pro-slavery mob that had crossed the river from the slave state of Missouri.  Lovejoy thereby became the first white martyr for abolitionist movement.

Then, in 1837, a horrific murder demonstrated that the continued existence of slavery threatened the constitutional rights of free speech and freedom of the press.  Elijah Lovejoy, an antislavery newspaper publisher, was murdered in Alton, Illinois by a pro-slavery mob that had crossed the river from the slave state of Missouri.  Lovejoy thereby became the first white martyr for abolitionist movement.

In 1841, the former President John Quincy Adams represented slaves who were being prosecuted for unlawfully taking control of a Spanish ship and killing its leadership (the serious crime of mutiny).  Under President Martin Van Buren, the United Stated Department of Justice had sought to deport the slaves to Cuba, where they would likely have been executed by the Spanish controlling that island.  Adams argued that the slaves should be freed in the United States, even though they were not American citizens, because it had prohibited the slave trade by this time.  The Supreme Court held in favor of the slaves and John Qunicy Adas in ''United States v. The Amistad Africans''.  The slaves were freed and welcomed by a community in Connecticut.

In 1841, the former President John Quincy Adams represented slaves who were being prosecuted for unlawfully taking control of a Spanish ship and killing its captain and crew (the serious crime of mutiny).  The slaves ended up in the United States.  Under President Martin Van Buren, the United Stated Department of Justice sought to deport these slaves to Cuba, where they would likely have been executed by the Spanish controlling that island.  Adams argued that the slaves should be freed in the United States, even though they were not American citizens, because the U.S. had prohibited the slave trade by this time.  The Supreme Court held in favor of the slaves and John Qunicy Adams in ''United States v. The Amistad Africans''.  The slaves were freed and welcomed by a community in Connecticut.

== Other Developments 1800-1840 ==

== Other Developments 1800-1840 ==