While many states grappled with the institution of slavery throughout American history, a select few never formally legalized it. These states include California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii.
States That Never Permitted Slavery
The history of the United States is deeply intertwined with the institution of slavery, particularly in its Southern regions. However, as the nation expanded westward and new territories sought statehood, some joined the Union with constitutions that prohibited slavery from their inception.
West Coast Pioneers
- California: Admitted to the Union in 1850 as a free state, California's status was a significant point of contention leading up to the Civil War. Efforts by southern states to expand slavery into new territories and states, including potentially California, were a major underlying cause of the conflict, a move notably opposed by figures like Abraham Lincoln.
- Oregon: Oregon's journey to statehood in 1859 included a unique and complex relationship with race and slavery. While it prohibited slavery, its constitution also initially included exclusionary clauses aimed at preventing Black people from residing within its borders.
- Washington: Becoming a state in 1889, Washington Territory never allowed slavery. Its admission well after the Civil War and the passage of the 13th Amendment solidified its status as a free state from the outset.
The Pacific Gem
- Hawaii: Admitted as the 50th state in 1959, Hawaii's history as a sovereign kingdom and later a U.S. territory did not involve the establishment of chattel slavery as it was practiced on the mainland. Its economic system relied on contract labor, primarily from Asia and the Pacific, rather than enslaved African people.
These states either entered the Union after slavery had been abolished nationwide or had constitutional provisions and historical contexts that prevented the legal establishment of slavery within their borders.
Overview of Non-Slavery States
The following table summarizes the states that never legally permitted slavery:
| State | Year Admitted to Union | Slavery Status upon Admission | Key Historical Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1850 | Free State | Admitted as part of the Compromise of 1850; its free status fueled sectional tensions. |
| Oregon | 1859 | Free State | Established as a free territory and state, though with initial racial exclusion laws. |
| Washington | 1889 | Free State | Organized as a territory and admitted as a state well after the Civil War and federal abolition of slavery. |
| Hawaii | 1959 | Free State | Its history as a kingdom and territory did not include chattel slavery; relied on contract labor. |
The abolition of slavery across the United States was a prolonged and often violent process, culminating in the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1865, which formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude nationwide. The states listed above represent those that, for various reasons, never had to formally abolish slavery because it was never legally established within their borders.
