History Unit: Causes of the Civil War

Questions and Answers

What is the date of the Causes of the Civil War Test?

Thursday, December 5

Why was the Missouri Compromise of 1820 created?

To keep the number of slave and free states even.

What did the Missouri Compromise of 1820 do?

Admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state; prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36 ° 30' latitude line.

Who proposed the Missouri Compromise of 1820?

Henry Clay Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Missouri Compromise of 1820 help cause the Civil War?

It created sectionalism and division between slave states and free states. Signup and view all the answers

How did Congress silence all congressional debate over slavery?

They put a 'gag rule' on slavery. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Wilmot Proviso created?

To prevent the introduction of slavery in territories gained from the Mexican War. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Wilmot Proviso do?

Stated that 'neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist' in any territory acquired from Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Who proposed the Wilmot Proviso?

David Wilmot Signup and view all the answers

David Wilmot added the Wilmot Proviso amendment to what president's bill?

James Polk's bill. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the bill in Congress?

The bill never passed through Congress. Signup and view all the answers

When was the Wilmot Proviso proposed?

1846 Signup and view all the answers

How did the Wilmot Proviso help cause the Civil War?

It fueled conflict between the North and the South over power in Congress. Signup and view all the answers

When did California apply for admission to the Union as a free state?

Late in 1849 Signup and view all the answers

Why was California becoming a free state important?

It upset the balance of slave and free states. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Compromise of 1850 created?

To decide how to handle statehood in territories won in the Mexican-American War. Signup and view all the answers

Who proposed the Compromise of 1850?

Henry Clay Signup and view all the answers

What are the four things the Compromise of 1850 does?

<ol> <li>Admits California as a free state. 2) Lets New Mexico and Utah decide on slavery. 3) Outlaws slave trade in Washington, D.C. 4) Creates a stronger fugitive slave law.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What was added to the Compromise of 1850 to appease southerners?

The Fugitive Slave Act Signup and view all the answers

What provisions did the Fugitive Slave Act have?

<ol> <li>Runaway slaves had few legal rights. 2) Assisting escapees could lead to jail. 3) Federal officials who did not arrest runaways could be fined. 4) Judges received different payments for returning runaways or freeing them.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General Information

Test on Causes of the Civil War scheduled for December 5, includes Multiple Choice, Matching, Short Answer, and Fill in the Blank.
All study materials available on Blackboard under "History Units, A Dividing Nation-Main Causes of the Civil War."

Missouri Compromise of 1820

Created to maintain an equal number of slave and free states.
Admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.
Prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36° 30' latitude line, preserving a balance of 12 slave states and 12 free states.
Proposed by Henry Clay of Kentucky.
Contributed to Civil War tensions due to heightened sectionalism and division between North (free states) and South (slave states).

Congressional Actions on Slavery

Congress implemented a "gag rule," halting all debates on slavery for 10 years.

Wilmot Proviso

Introduced in 1846 by Democratic Representative David Wilmot of Pennsylvania.
Aimed to ban slavery in territories gained from the Mexican-American War.
Specified that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist" in newly acquired territories.
Attached to President James Polk's funding bill for the Mexican War but ultimately did not pass Congress.
Increased North-South conflict by highlighting disparities in political power and Northern efforts to prohibit slavery in new territories.

California's Statehood

California applied for admission as a free state in late 1849.
Its status as a free state disrupted the balance of power, resulting in more free states than slave states.

Compromise of 1850

Established to address the status of territories gained in the Mexican-American War.
Proposed by Henry Clay with assistance from Daniel Webster.
Key provisions:
- Admitted California as a free state.
- Established popular sovereignty for New Mexico and Utah regarding slavery.
- Outlawed slave trade in Washington, D.C.
- Implemented a stronger fugitive slave law to aid in capturing runaway slaves.

Fugitive Slave Act

Included in the Compromise of 1850 to satisfy Southern interests.
Provisions included:
- Limited legal rights for arrested runaway slaves.
- Penalties for those aiding escapes or refusing to assist slave catchers.
- Federal officials penalized for failing to arrest runaways.
- Judges financially incentivized to favor slaveholders by sending runaways back.

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Description

This quiz covers the main causes of the Civil War, including important events like the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Prepare for your test with multiple choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank questions. Review the material available on Blackboard to ensure your understanding of these pivotal historical moments.