Northern United States

===Early history===
{{further|Slave and free states}}
Before the [[19th century]] westward expansion, the "Northern United States" corresponded to the present day [[New England]] region. By the 1830s it corresponded to the present day [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]] and [[Great Lakes region]].

Before 1865, the North was distinguished from the [[Southern United States|South]] on the issue of [[Slavery in the United States|slavery]]. In Southern states, slavery was legal until the ratification of the [[Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|13th Amendment]] in 1865. Northern states had all passed some form of legislation to abolish slavery by 1804. However, abolition did not mean freedom for some existing slaves. Due to gradual abolition laws, slaves would still appear in some Northern states as far as the [[1840 United States Census]].<ref>Klein, Christopher. (Feb 5, 2019). [https://www.history.com/news/deeper-roots-of-northern-slavery-unearthed Deeper Roots of Northern Slavery Unearthed – HISTORY]. Retrieved Jul 28, 2020.</ref> [[History of slavery in New Jersey|New Jersey]] was the last Northern state to end slavery. Due to their states gradual abolition laws, slavery came to an end in New Jersey when the 13th Amendment was ratified in 1865.<ref>[https://nj.gov/state/historical/his-2021-juneteenth.shtml New Jersey, The Last Northern State to End Slavery – NJ.gov]. ''nj.gov''. Retrieved January 27, 2022.</ref>