Question

The division of Americans over the issue of slavery deepened during the 1800s. Each state had the right to either continue or end slavery within its borders. Territories continued the laws of the nations that used to rule them. For example, Spain had allowed slavery in Florida, so slavery continued there after it became U.S. territory. Florida became a slaveholding state in 1845. However, slavery created issues that required the attention of the federal government to settle. These issues needed a national solution because they affected people in multiple states or territories at the same time. Americans chose to compromise on these issues rather than directly address slavery. A compromise occurs when people on both sides of an argument give up some things to reach an agreement. View this slideshow to learn more about these compromises.