Political Realignment in the 1850s
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Questions and Answers

What was one of the main objectives of Henry Clay in presenting the omnibus bill?

  • To create a balanced compromise that addressed the concerns of both North and South (correct)
  • To abolish slavery entirely in the Union
  • To secure California's admission as a slave state
  • To establish stricter immigration laws for newly admitted states

    • Which of the following components was included in Clay's omnibus bill?

  • A prohibition on the slave trade in all states
  • The creation of a national army to enforce the fugitive slave law
  • California would be admitted as a free state (correct)
  • An unconditional right for Congress to regulate slavery

    • What concern did most southerners have regarding slavery that led to the creation of the omnibus bill?

  • The lack of effective laws for recapturing runaway slaves (correct)
  • The possibility of abolitionist movements in the North
  • The fear of Northern states seceding from the Union
  • The potential for slaves to gain voting rights

    • How did the debate surrounding the omnibus bill primarily affect the states involved?

    <p>It fueled discussions of secession among southern states</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What legal restrictions did the omnibus bill propose regarding the slave trade in Washington, D.C.?

    <p>The slave trade would be terminated but slavery would remain legal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What stance did Henry Clay take regarding the consequences of secession during his defense of the omnibus bill?

    <p>He emphasized that secession would inevitably lead to war</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which territory was designated as having the status of slavery determined by popular sovereignty according to the omnibus bill?

    <p>New Mexico and Utah</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was President Buchanan's primary reason for endorsing the Lecompton Constitution?

    <p>To reward his southern supporters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the financial provisions made by the omnibus bill regarding Texas?

    <p>The United States would assume Texas's pre-annexation debt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of the election regarding the Lecompton Constitution?

    <p>Kansas rejected the Constitution for the second time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which economic downturn occurred in 1857, affecting the nation’s economy?

    <p>The Panic of 1857</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the South react to the economic downturn of 1857 compared to the North?

    <p>The South had a stronger economy and weathered the depression better</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue did the Lincoln-Douglas debates primarily revolve around?

    <p>The expansion of slavery in new territories</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Democratic candidate broke with Buchanan over the Lecompton Constitution?

    <p>Stephen A. Douglas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What accusation did Douglas make against Lincoln during their debates?

    <p>That Lincoln was an abolitionist</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What financial incentive did special commissioners have for returning alleged runaway slaves?

    <p>They received $10 for each slave returned and $5 if not returned.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the consequences for anyone who interfered with the capture of fugitive slaves?

    <p>They were subject to heavy fines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a prominent theme in Harriet Beecher Stowe's 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'?

    <p>The inherent evil of the slavery institution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the immediate impact of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' upon its release?

    <p>It sold two million copies by the end of 1852.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which law allowed the recovery of fugitive slaves but was met with resistance in the North?

    <p>The Fugitive Slave Act.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was the author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'?

    <p>Harriet Beecher Stowe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one method used to demonstrate opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act in some northern states?

    <p>Enacting personal liberty laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What event frequently occurred during attempts to capture fugitive slaves?

    <p>Rescue attempts by abolitionists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did many northerners respond to laws regarding the capture of fugitive slaves?

    <p>They largely refused to cooperate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What tragic event is depicted in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' involving a character named Eliza?

    <p>Her dramatic flight across the Ohio River.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the basis for Taney's decision regarding Scott's status?

    <p>Scott was considered property under the law.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Taney justify the unconstitutionality of the Missouri Compromise?

    <p>It conflicted with the Fifth Amendment's protection of property.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the public perception of President Buchanan's involvement with the Dred Scott decision?

    <p>He was regarded as a supporter of the proslavery South.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What strategy did Buchanan propose to address the Kansas tensions?

    <p>To form a territorial convention to draft a state constitution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant flaw in Buchanan's plan for Kansas regarding the election?

    <p>He underestimated the influence of proslavery voting fraud.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of the Lecompton Constitution referendum?

    <p>It was rejected by the free-staters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What statement reflects Taney's view on African Americans and citizenship?

    <p>They were regarded as beings of an inferior order.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the presumed goal of the proslavery supporters regarding Cuba?

    <p>To acquire it and make it a slave state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did the free-staters boycott the convention election in Kansas?

    <p>They believed the election process was fraudulent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the reaction of antislavery northerners to the Dred Scott decision?

    <p>They were outraged and directed their anger at President Buchanan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the key provisions of the Texas and New Mexico Act in the Compromise of 1850?

    <p>Popular sovereignty would determine the status of slavery in New Mexico.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did the omnibus bill related to the Compromise of 1850 fail initially?

    <p>It required every measure to be passed as a single package.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a major outcome of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 from the Compromise of 1850?

    <p>It placed runaway slave cases under federal jurisdiction favoring slave owners.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly identifies a viewpoint expressed by William H. Seward regarding the compromise?

    <p>He stated that any compromise with slavery was morally wrong.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one reason Daniel Webster supported the compromise?

    <p>He feared the consequences of succumbing to extremists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the Act Abolishing the Slave Trade in the District of Columbia achieve?

    <p>It prohibited the sale of slaves in the capital effective January 1, 1851.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who played a crucial role in salvaging the compromise by separating the omnibus bill into five individual bills?

    <p>Stephen Douglas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant weakness of the Fugitive Slave Act despite being a victory for the South?

    <p>It was rarely enforced in Northern states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What argument did Webster make regarding the climate and soil of the territories in relation to slavery?

    <p>They naturally inhibited the extension of slavery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Political Realignment in the 1850s

    • The Whig party fractured in the 1850s due to disagreements over the Fugitive Slave Law.

    • The 1852 election marked the beginning of the end for the Whig party.

    • Winfield Scott was nominated by the Whigs but lost to Franklin Pierce in a landslide victory.

    • New political alignments emerged in 1852.

    • Southern Whigs transitioned to the Democratic Party.

    • Northern Whigs joined the Republican Party.

    • The American Party (Know-Nothings) gained support from nativists, anti-slavery opponents, and disgruntled voters.

    • Party affiliation became increasingly sectional after the 1852 election.

    Compromise of 1850

    • The Compromise of 1850 was designed to address the issue of slavery in the new territories acquired following the Mexican-American War.
    • It did not address slavery in the unorganized territories of the Great Plains.

    Kansas-Nebraska Act

    • The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 created two territories (Kansas and Nebraska) and declared the Missouri Compromise void.
    • The Act permitted territories to decide the issue of slavery by popular sovereignty.
    • The act sparked intense conflict between proslavery and antislavery settlers, leading to "Bleeding Kansas".
    • This act created more problems than anticipated for the nation

    Election of 1856

    • The election of 1856 saw the Republican party nominate John C. Frémont for president.
    • James Buchanan was the Democratic candidate.

    Compromise of 1850's Issues

    • The Compromise of 1850 attempted to address the issue of slavery in the newly acquired territories but did not resolve all disagreements.

    Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

    • The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a key component of the Compromise of 1850.
    • The Act required runaway slaves to be returned to their owners.
    • Enraged many Northerners.

    Uncle Tom's Cabin

    • Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin was impactful in changing the national discussion surrounding slavery.
    • The novel increased northern opposition to slavery.

    Dred Scott Decision

    • The Dred Scott decision was a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1857.
    • The Court stated that Dred Scott was not a citizen of the United States, thus couldn't sue.
    • The Court decided the Missouri Compromise as unconstitutional
    • The Court declared that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in the territories

    The election of 1860

    • The Democratic party split over the issue of slavery, leading to a divided vote and the election of Abraham Lincoln as president.
    • The election of Lincoln as president marked a major turning point in American history, as it precipitated the secession of several southern states.

    Secession and the start of the Civil War

    • The election of Lincoln as U.S president in 1860 triggered the secession of several southern states.
    • The secession of states set the stage for the beginning of the American Civil War in April 1861 with the attack on Fort Sumter.

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    Related Documents

    Readings: Union in Crisis, Political Realignment in the 1850s, Compromise of 1850 PDF

    Description

    Explore the significant political shifts that occurred in the United States during the 1850s. This quiz covers the fracturing of the Whig Party, the emergence of new political alignments, and key legislative events like the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Test your knowledge on how these changes shaped American politics leading up to the Civil War.

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