History- Politics of Slavery Test Review

How did the Missouri Compromise aim to deal with the issue of slavery?

Missouri entered as a slave state and Maine entered as a free state.

36/30 line was established which meant any states above the line were free and any states below the line were slave.

Would abolitionists have supported the Wilmot Proviso?

David Wilmot put this idea into perspective. He wanted to help people of his same race and color. Yes they would have supported it because they were against slavery and the Wilmot Proviso was against slavery.

What was popular sovereignty?

allowed for territories to decide for themselves if they wanted to be free or not

Compromise of 1850? (relates to southwest territory)

• California wanted to become a state, so they joined as a free state

• Utah and New Mexico decided on slavery through popular sovereignty

• abolish slave trade in Washington DC

• enact a stronger fugitive slave act

In what way did the Fugitive Slave Act satisfy Southern interests over Northern interests?

Slaves were beginning to run away. Southerners were upset because Northerners were helping slaves escape through underground railroad.

what was the personal liberty law?

protected northerners legally for helping slaves escape.

What role did Harriot Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” play in the national discussion around slavery?

many people started to read her book so it spread awareness and educated people, these people then started to join politics.

Explain how the Popular Sovereignty approach to Kansas and Nebraska applying for statehood backfired.

because pro and anti slavery people were allowed to decide their fate. By doing so these people rushed to Kansas. Sporadic civil war then breaks out, known as “Sack of Lawrence”.

Typically the United States is a “two-party” Democracy, how did this begin to change in the 1850’s?

It began to change because of disagreements in legislature about slavery.

What was the name of the 4 political parties in the 1850s?

• Known nothing party

• republicans

• northern democrats

• southern democrats

How did the Senate conflict between Sumner and Brooks represent the tension between North and South?

Brooks attacked Sumner with a cane and his cane broke. Southerners felt bad so they bought Brooks a new cane.

Describe how the Dred Scott decision was a defeat for the abolitionists?

 The Dred Scott decision legalised slavery in all US territories which further delayed the end of slavery.

In what ways did the Election of 1860 highlight the social and political divisions of the United States in the middle of the 19th century?

Lincoln loses in 58 and wins in 60. Shows many different parties involved. Lincoln won 0 southern states. To win a presidential election you can win with no votes for southern states.

Summarize how South Carolina justified their secession from the United States.

The union is no longer a democratic governing society.