Expansionism and Slavery during the 1800s

Expansion and Unity
During the 1800s the United States was rapidly growing. Despite the growing need for expansion, there was still opposition to the acquisition of new land. At first constitutionally during the Louisiana Purchase, and then later over the issue of slavery in the 1850s. The issue of territorial expansion brought about heated tension between party lines and regional lines during the early to mid 1800s.
When Thomas Jefferson wanted to acquire the Louisiana Purchase, the Federalist Party met him with opposition. The opposition, however, was on a national basis. The heated…