The prospect of the extension of slavery into the American West certainly influenced sectoral politics by inflaming grievances and tensions and sparking heated and sometimes violent protests, but at times a compromise was reached - sometimes among strange political bedfellows – in the interests of keeping away the specter of civil war. This article will focus on issues related to the possible extension of slavery into the following areas: the Missouri Territory and the Louisiana Purchase in general, Texas (annexation), Oregon Territory, California (annexation), Nebraska ( unorganized) and Kansas. Territory. The initial conflict over the westward extension of slavery focused on the territory acquired with the Louisiana Purchase in general and, in particular, the Missouri Territory's claim to statehood. In 1819 there were 11 slave states and 11 free states. In the interest of maintaining the balance between the slave state and the free state, a compromise decision was reached: Missouri would be admitted to the union as a slave state, Maine (formerly part of Massachusetts) would be admitted to the union as a free. , and slavery would not be permitted elsewhere in the Louisiana Territory north of 36°30'. Subsequent debate focused on the possible annexation of Texas and the imbalance that would result if Texas were admitted as a slave state, including fears that such a large territory could be divided into multiple states. Mexico had gained independence from Spain, but its success depended on achieving independent economic prosperity, and Texas seemed the key to this success. The underdeveloped regions of East Texas seemed ideal for plantation agriculture, and Great Britain – in the midst of an industrial revolution...... middle of paper ......ka Act had already repealed this principle of Compromise, this The Court's decision further called into question the idea of ​​popular sovereignty with respect to any election results that might impose restrictions on slavery. Regarding the pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution: The (pro-slavery) constitutional convention met, but the vote was boycotted by free statesmen, who said it was rigged. The (anti-slavery) parliament met and called a second election, but it was boycotted by pro-slavery supporters. President Buchanan supported the Lecompton Constitution and it passed in 1858, but anti-Lecompton Democrats in the House of Representatives introduced an amendment for a new, supervised popular vote. Ultimately, although it postponed Kansas statehood until required population levels were reached, voters overwhelmingly rejected the Lecompton Constitution.