From 1836 till 1844 the House of Representatives barred the discussion of anti-slavery petitions by Congress by means of a gag rule. A gag rule prevents the consideration of a particular topic, and pro-slavery members of Congress hoped this would be an effective way of silencing abolitionists. However, anti-slavery campaigners became even more determined in the face of opposition and argued that the gag rule was a violation of the First Amendment. The gag was lifted in December 1844.
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