The years between 1830 and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 marked a period of extreme turmoil and conflict for The United States. As the issue of slavery became more and more pressing, the nation as a whole polarized over the peculiar institution. New England and, more specifically, the city of Boston contributed a great deal to this polarization as they helped lead the abolition movement. A city rich in history, Boston was the site of countless abolitionist events and contained several of the most influential anti-slavery leaders which resulted in a huge impact for the movement as a whole and its eventual victory.