Abolition Movement and Southern States History

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Questions and Answers

What were the three main characteristics of Southern society in the mid-1800s?

Society was heavily structured on the ownership of slaves. The economy was mostly agriculture with few major cities and plantations worked by slaves. Religion was a large factor in the everyday lives of the Southern States (mainly Christianity).

What was the main difference between moderate and radical abolitionists?

Moderate abolitionists were primarily focused on the economic aspects of slavery while radical abolitionists were more concerned with moral issues.
Moderate abolitionists advocated for gradual emancipation while radical abolitionists called for an immediate end to slavery. (correct)
Moderate abolitionists supported the expansion of slavery while radical abolitionists opposed it.
Moderate abolitionists believed in using violence while radical abolitionists were pacifists.

What were the two major consequences of Lincoln's election as President?

The secession of seven Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America.

What was the purpose of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry?

John Brown attempted to start a slave revolt by seizing a federal arsenal in Virginia. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of the Compromise of 1850?

The Compromise of 1850 addressed the status of slavery in the territories acquired after the Mexican-American War. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of Popular Sovereignty?

Popular Sovereignty allowed residents of territories to vote on whether or not to allow slavery in their state. Signup and view all the answers

The abolition movement was universally supported across the North.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Underground Railroad' and what was its success rate?

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by escaping slaves to reach freedom in the North or Canada. Only about 2,000 out of 4 million slaves successfully escaped through this network. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Missouri Compromise of 1820?

The Missouri Compromise was an agreement between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States that regulated the expansion of slavery into new territories. Signup and view all the answers

What is Manifest Destiny?

Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined by God to expand across the entire North American continent. Signup and view all the answers

How did Texas become part of the United States?

Texas gained its independence from Mexico and was annexed by the United States in 1845 after negotiations initiated by President James Polk. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the 'Fire Eaters'?

The 'Fire Eaters' were a group of Southern politicians and activists who advocated for secession from the Union. Signup and view all the answers

What were the central beliefs of the 'Free Soilers'?

The Free Soilers opposed the expansion of slavery into Western territories and promoted the principle of Popular Sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the 'Border Ruffians' and what was their purpose?

The 'Border Ruffians' were pro-slavery forces from Missouri who flooded into Kansas to try and promote the institution of slavery there. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Quakers' views on slavery?

The Quakers were among the earliest opponents of slavery, believing in peace and advocating for its abolition. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Southern reaction to the abolitionist movement.

Southerners often reacted violently to the abolitionist movement, perceiving it as a threat to their way of life. They defended slavery as a necessary evil or even a positive good, arguing that it was vital for their economy and society. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes aspects of slavery in the United States?

Slave auctions separated slave families, as depicted in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What were the key factors behind the westward expansion of the United States, particularly in the case of Oregon?

The belief in Manifest Destiny fueled westward expansion, and Oregon's fertile farmland attracted people seeking new opportunities, resulting in what was dubbed 'Oregon Fever'. The Oregon Trail was a major pathway for westward migration, and the Oregon Treaty resolved boundary disputes with Britain. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main point of conflict between Northern Whigs and Southern Democrats regarding westward expansion?

Northern Whigs opposed the expansion of slavery while Southern Democrats supported it. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following events contributed to the conflict between the United States and Mexico?

The United States' desire to acquire California and the disputed Texas-Mexico border. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What were the key provisions of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and what was Stephen Douglas's motivation for proposing it?

The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed residents of those territories to decide whether or not to allow slavery through Popular Sovereignty, thus effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise. Stephen Douglas, a Senator from Illinois, supported the act primarily due to his desire for a railroad route through the territories to facilitate westward expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What were the main arguments made in favor of slavery during this era?

Some supported slavery by citing its historical use by great civilizations, arguing that it was a necessary evil, or even a positive good for both the enslaved people and society. They also claimed that enslaved people were treated as part of the family and that owning slaves was better than subjecting people to the harsh conditions of 'wage slavery'. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Bleeding Kansas' conflict, and who was John Brown's role in it?

'Bleeding Kansas' was a violent period of conflict in Kansas over the issue of slavery. John Brown, an abolitionist, led a group of his sons in an attack on pro-slavery forces at Pottawatomie Creek, resulting in the deaths of both his sons and later Brown himself. This was a tragic example of the violence that erupted over the question of slavery's expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Caning of Senator Sumner?

Senator Charles Sumner was severely beaten by Congressman Preston Brooks from South Carolina after Sumner delivered a speech criticizing slavery and insulting Brooks's relative. This incident became a symbol of the growing violence and tensions between the North and South. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the Dred Scott Decision?

Dred Scott, a slave who had been taken to free states by his owner and had sued for his freedom, was denied his freedom by the Supreme Court. The Court ruled that slaves were property and thus lacked the legal standing to sue for freedom. Signup and view all the answers

What were the major consequences of the election of 1860 for the United States?

The secession of seven Southern states from the Union. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Name three prominent examples of slave rebellions in the United States.

The Stono Rebellion (1739), Denmark Vesey's planned rebellion (1822), and Nat Turner's Rebellion (1831). Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the formation of the Republican Party?

The Republican Party was formed as a response to the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed for the potential expansion of slavery into new territories. Signup and view all the answers

Who was William Lloyd Garrison and what was his role in the abolitionist movement?

William Lloyd Garrison was a radical abolitionist who published the influential newspaper 'The Liberator' and advocated for immediate, uncompensated emancipation of slaves. He and his fellow abolitionists formed the American Anti-Slavery Society. Signup and view all the answers

What were Stephen Douglas's motivations for supporting the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

Stephen Douglas, a Senator from Illinois, supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act, believing it would facilitate the construction of a transcontinental railroad through those territories, thereby benefiting his home state and the nation as a whole. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Crittenden Proposal and why was it rejected by Lincoln?

The Crittenden Proposal was a proposed constitutional amendment that would have returned to the idea of the Missouri Compromise, essentially allowing slavery in states and territories south of a designated line. Lincoln rejected this proposal because he believed it would perpetuate the expansion of slavery, which he opposed. Signup and view all the answers

What were the 'Black Codes' implemented in the South after the Civil War?

Black Codes were laws passed by Southern states after the Civil War that aimed to control and restrict the lives of freed Black people. This included limiting their rights, such as voting or owning property, and subjecting them to discriminatory treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Never Never' Amendment proposed by the South, and what was its significance?

The 'Never Never' Amendment was a proposed constitutional amendment that would have guaranteed that slavery could never be abolished and that the amendment itself could never be changed. This amendment, rejected by the South, further illustrated their intransigence on the issue of slavery, as they were unwilling to compromise and sought to perpetuate the institution indefinitely. Signup and view all the answers

What were the 'Personal Liberty Laws' passed by some Northern states, and what was their purpose?

Personal Liberty Laws were enacted by Northern states as a form of resistance to the Fugitive Slave Law. These laws aimed to protect fugitive slaves from being returned to their owners and sometimes allowed government officials to refuse to cooperate with the Fugitive Slave Law. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Fugitive Slave Law?

The Fugitive Slave Law required Northern states to forcibly return escaped slaves to their owners in the South, placing a burden on free states to support the institution of slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Know-Nothing Party and what were its main goals?

The Know-Nothing Party, also known as the American Party, was a nativist political party formed in the 1850s. Its main goal was to oppose immigration and to restrict the political influence of immigrants, particularly Irish and German Catholics. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the phrase '54-40 or Fight!'?

'54-40 or Fight!' was a cry for expansion into the Oregon Territory, based on the 54th parallel north latitude. This slogan, coined by President James K. Polk, was a threat to Britain over the territory in the Pacific Northwest, ultimately resulting in the Oregon Treaty, which set the border at the 49th parallel. Signup and view all the answers

What was John Quincy Adams's role in the national debate over slavery?

John Quincy Adams, a former president and congressman, was a vocal critic of slavery and a leading voice in Congress against its expansion. He was a strong supporter of the abolitionist movement and worked tirelessly to limit the spread of slavery. Signup and view all the answers

Why was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' so impactful? What key issue did it highlight?

'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' a novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe, was a powerful and influential work that brought the plight of enslaved people and, most importantly, the issue of slave families being broken up during auctions to a mass audience. Through vivid descriptions and emotional narratives, it sparked outrage and sympathy for the cause of abolition. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Characteristics of Southern States

Society based on slave ownership; agriculture-focused economy; strong religious influence.

Moderate vs. Radical abolition

Moderate sought gradual abolition; radicals like Douglass called for immediate end to slavery.