MC Chapter 17/18

The most controversial and divisive component of the Compromise of 1850 was the

(A) measure’s endorsement of popular sovereignty

(B) admittance of Missouri as a slave state and the establishment of the 36°30' line

(C) passage of a tougher national fugitive slave act

(D) admittance of Texas as a slave state

(E) legislation permitted the surveying of a southern transcontinental railway line

C

Which of the following states the principle of “popular sovereignty?”

(A) Congress has the right to decide where slavery shall and shall not exist.

(B) The settlers in a given territory have the sole right to decide whether or not slavery will be permitted there.

(C) Individual citizens can decide for themselves whether or not to hold slaves.

(D) The American people shall decide where slavery will exist through a national plebiscite.

(E) Individual states have the right to reject congressional decisions pertaining to slavery.

C

The excerpt best reflects which of the following historical situations?

(A) Congressional leaders sought political compromise to resolve discord between the North and the South.

(B) States in the Great Lakes region advocated to legalize slavery within their borders.

(C) Senators appealed to the idea of American exceptionalism to encourage national unity.

(D) The Supreme Court decision in the Dred Scott case reduced sectional conflict within the United States.

A

The position expressed by Clay in the excerpt best serves as evidence of which of the following?

(A) Northern politicians showed less interest in California than Southern politicians.

(B) The United States Senate could not agree on treaty terms with Mexico.

(C) The acquisition of new territories created disputes over the expansion of slavery.

(D) Nativist groups opposed incorporating new states into the Union.

C

Evidence in the excerpt best corroborates which of the following broader historical contexts?

(A) Expanded trade between the East and West Coasts and with Asia divided the country in new ways.

(B) Abolitionist activity undermined the ability of new territories to achieve statehood.

(C) Southern states sought more proslavery seats in the United States Congress.

(D) New political parties such as the Know-Nothings threatened the system of slavery.

C