Before 1860, some Northerners were abolitionists and some Northerners just wanted to stop the spread of slavery throughout the Union. Explain the difference behind the two ideas.

Northerners varied in views between being abolitionist and just wanting to stop the spread of slavery. The difference between these two ideas is shown in a multitude of ways.

Explanation: Abolitionists wanted the full abolishment of slavery. This was considered a more radical view, as it encompassed the dissolution of the institution of slavery as a whole. They did not want it to expand or continue whatsoever. On the other hand, some Northerners simply wanted to prevent the expansion of slavery westward (the creation of more slave states). They were comfortable with current status quo of slavery in the South, but did not want the institution to bolster its influence. They also could have tolerated some amount of slavery due to the materials it exported to the North for factories to use.