Story of thanksgivingGovernment Actions – Western Expansion and Slavery Starting in the 1800’s, slavery began to take on an important role in the United States and its Western expansion. The government enacted various policies to deal with the spread of slavery in the West. These actions from 1800 – 1860 planted the seeds for the Civil War.

Task:

Identify at least two actions taken by the United States government that were

Influenced the slavery prior to the Civil War

• Discuss the historical circumstances that resulted in the government action – include at least on social, political and economic influence

• Describe the impact of the government action on the United States

From your study of United States history, you may use any federal government action that

was influenced by geography, and/or political/social/economic events . Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott decision.