Expansion of Slavery

Most historians argue that the expansion of slavery into the western territories created the sectional divide between the North and the South that started the Civil War. Identify what you consider the three most momentous episodes during which slavery expanded westward and explain how and why each of them further widened the sectional divide. Consider the grading rubric (below) as you marshal your evidence, organize your thoughts, make your argument, and write your essays. Your essays should demonstrate what you have learned from the course materials—the PowerPoint slides and lectures and the textbook, Give Me Liberty. Please be sure to follow these stylistic guidelines for your essays: Write a 500-word essay answering the essay prompt Use 12-point Times New Roman typeface Left-justify and double-space the text Set 1-inch margins all around (left and right, top and bottom) Do not add headers or footers of any kind