Causes of the Union Crisis

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary concern of the Free Soil Party?

  • To expand slavery into new territories
  • To prevent the extension of slavery into new territories (correct)
  • To promote the rights of slave owners
  • To support states' rights over federal authority

Which solution did Lewis Cass propose to address the issue of slavery in new territories?

  • Immediate abolition of slavery
  • Popular sovereignty allowing settlers to vote (correct)
  • Federal legislation banning slavery
  • Reinforcement of the Missouri Compromise line

What was the outcome of the Compromise of 1850 regarding California?

  • California was split into two separate states
  • California was denied statehood
  • California was admitted as a slave state
  • California was admitted as a free state (correct)

What did the Fugitive Slave Law enforce?

<p>Mandatory punishment for aiding runaway slaves (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a reaction of southern states to Lincoln's election in 1860?

<p>They considered secession from the Union (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What action did South Carolina take after the election of 1860?

<p>Held a convention to vote to secede (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who argued against the Compromise of 1850, insisting that the South should have equal rights in new territories?

<p>John C. Calhoun (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a major cause of conflict leading up to the Civil War according to the provided information?

<p>Disputes over slavery and territories (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Wilmot Proviso regarding slavery in new territories?

<p>The Wilmot Proviso aimed to prohibit slavery in any territory gained from Mexico.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the Free Soil movement defined its position relating to labor and slavery.

<p>The Free Soil movement emphasized the slogan 'free soil, free labor, free men', advocating for non-slavery in new territories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Compromise of 1850 address the issue of Texas's debts?

<p>The Compromise of 1850 included a provision to assume Texas's debt of $10 million.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary argument made by Daniel Webster during the debates over the Compromise of 1850?

<p>Daniel Webster argued for the Compromise of 1850 as a necessary measure to save the Union.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event did John Brown attempt to instigate in relation to slavery?

<p>John Brown led an attack on a federal arsenal to incite a slave rebellion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the reaction of Southern states to the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

<p>Southern states reacted by threatening to secede from the Union due to Lincoln's anti-slavery platform.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of popular sovereignty in the debate over slavery in new territories?

<p>Popular sovereignty allowed settlers in new territories to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What actions did states take after South Carolina's decision to secede?

<p>Following South Carolina's secession, several other Southern states also voted to leave the Union.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Compromise of 1850

A series of laws passed to address the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories, aiming to maintain the Union. It included admitting California as a free state, allowing popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico, and a stronger Fugitive Slave Act.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that residents of a territory should decide for themselves whether to allow slavery.

Free Soil Movement

A political movement in the North opposing the expansion of slavery into new territories. They believed that all people should have freedom of labor and have the opportunity to rise through hard work without owning other slaves.

Fugitive Slave Act

A component of the Compromise of 1850 that made it a federal crime to help runaway slaves and required their return to their owners.

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Election of 1860

The presidential election that saw Abraham Lincoln's victory, marking a pivotal moment in the escalating tensions leading to the Civil War. Southern states started to secede in response.

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Secession

The formal withdrawal of a state from the Union, as several Southern states did in the 1860s, leading to the American Civil War.

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Confederate States of America

The government formed by the Southern states that seceded from the United States, starting in 1861.

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Wilmot Proviso

A proposal to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico, ultimately unsuccessful but a key issue in the slavery conflict.

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Fire Eaters

Radical Southern politicians who favored secession if California and New Mexico were admitted as free states.

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Barn Burners

Northern Democrats who opposed the expansion of slavery and were willing to 'burn' their party's platform to prevent it.

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What did the Wilmot Proviso aim to do?

It proposed to ban slavery in any territories acquired from Mexico.

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What was the main point of popular sovereignty?

It allowed settlers in a territory to vote on whether to allow slavery.

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What did the Fugitive Slave Act enforce?

It required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, making it a federal crime to help them.

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What was the Southern position on slavery expansion?

They believed slavery should be allowed in new territories, citing their constitutional right to property.

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What was the main reason for the secession of the Deep South?

They feared the election of Abraham Lincoln, who was opposed to the expansion of slavery.

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What was the Confederate States of America?

A new nation formed by the eleven Southern states that seceded from the Union.

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Study Notes

Causes of the Union Crisis

  • Four primary factors contributed to the Union's peril: slavery, constitutional disputes, economic differences, and political extremism.
  • Territorial disputes over slavery ignited tensions. The Wilmot Proviso, which prohibited slavery in newly acquired territories, challenged the Compromise of 1820.

The Free Soil Movement

  • Northern Democrats and Whigs supported the Wilmot Proviso.
  • The Free Soil Party opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories, advocating "free soil, free labor, free men."
  • Southern whites viewed the Free Soil Party as violating their constitutional rights regarding property (slavery).

Southern Position

  • Many southerners sought to expand the Missouri Compromise line westward.
  • The South felt that the Free Soil Party infringed on their property rights concerning slaves, viewing slaves as property that they could own and control.
  • Senator Lewis Cass proposed a compromise, allowing settlers in new territories to determine the slavery issue in their region (popular sovereignty).

Election of 1848

  • Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor, who had no definite stance on slavery.
  • Disagreements within the Democratic Party emerged, with "Barn Burners" opposing slavery.

Compromise of 1850

  • California's request for statehood, with a constitution prohibiting slavery, heightened the conflict.
  • Southern "fire-eaters" threatened secession if California and New Mexico became free states.
  • Henry Clay proposed a compromise:
    • California admitted as a free state.
    • Mexican Cession split into Utah and New Mexico territories, allowing for popular sovereignty on slavery.
    • Texas debt assumed by the federal government (10 million dollars).
    • Slave trade banned in Washington D.C.
    • Fugitive Slave Law enacted.
  • Key figures like Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun debated the compromise's merits, emphasizing the need to preserve the Union.

John Brown's Raid

  • John Brown led an attack on a federal arsenal, aiming to arm slaves for a rebellion.
  • The raid failed, and John Brown was captured and executed.

Election of 1860

  • Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas, but faced opposition from many angry southerners.
  • A second Democratic convention nominated John C. Breckinridge.
  • Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln.
  • The South threatened secession if Lincoln won.
  • Lincoln won the electoral vote, not the popular vote, but won the overall election.

Secession of the Deep South

  • South Carolina held a convention and voted to secede from the Union.
  • Other Southern states followed, creating the Confederate States of America.

Confederate States of America

  • The Confederate States of America had limited governmental powers, specifically to avoid restrictions on slavery.
  • Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stephens became president and vice-president.

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