Sectionalism Quiz Study Guide PDF

1.Missouri Compromise (1820) Key Point: The Missouri Compromise was a law passed to maintain the balance of power between free and slave states in the U.S. Senate. Slave State: Missouri was admitted as a slave state. Free State: Maine was admitted as a free state to balance the admission of Misso...

1.Missouri Compromise (1820) Key Point: The Missouri Compromise was a law passed to maintain the balance of power between free and slave states in the U.S. Senate. Slave State: Missouri was admitted as a slave state. Free State: Maine was admitted as a free state to balance the admission of Missouri. Geographical Line: The 36°30' parallel was established to limit slavery in new territories. Slavery was permitted south of this line and banned north of it, except in Missouri. Important Details to Remember: Missouri was the first state admitted under this compromise as a slave state. Maine was admitted as a free state to maintain a balance between North and South. The 36°30' parallel was the critical line, which divided free and slave territories in the west. 2. Compromise of 1850 Purpose: The Compromise of 1850 was designed to resolve tensions between free and slave states over the status of new territories acquired after the Mexican-American War. Key Provisions of the Compromise: Admission of California as a Free State: To balance the admission of California as a free state, The Fugitive Slave Act was strengthened. Fugitive Slave Act: Required citizens to assist in the capture of runaway enslaved people and penalized those who helped them escape. This law was highly controversial, especially in the North. Popular Sovereignty in New Territories: The people of Utah and New Mexico were allowed to decide whether they would permit slavery, a principle known as popular sovereignty. Important Points to Remember: California was admitted as a free state. The Fugitive Slave Act was one of the most contentious elements of the Compromise, angering many Northerners. The main goal of the Compromise was to settle the question of slavery in the new territories and preserve the Union. 3. Dred Scott Case (1857) Issue: Dred Scott, a enslaved, sued for his freedom after living in free territories. The Supreme Court ruled against him. Court's Ruling: The Court ruled that enslaved people were considered property, not citizens, and thus had no right to sue in federal court. Impact: The decision declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, as it effectively allowed slavery to spread into territories where it had previously been banned. Key Takeaway: The Dred Scott decision intensified tensions between the North and South by denying legal protections to African Americans and by enabling slavery to spread into the western territories. 4. Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) Goal: To organize the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and determine whether slavery would be allowed based on popular sovereignty (voters in each territory would decide). Consequences: ○ "Bleeding Kansas": Violent clashes broke out between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers as both sides rushed to Kansas to influence the vote. This period of violence became known as "Bleeding Kansas." ○ The Act effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing slavery north of the 36°30' line. Key Takeaway: The Kansas-Nebraska Act exacerbated sectional tensions and led to violent confrontations in Kansas, which further divided the North and South. 5. Election of 1860 Candidates: ○ Abraham Lincoln (Republican Party): Opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories. Lincoln’s election was a major factor leading to the secession of Southern states. ○ Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrats): Supported popular sovereignty and argued that each territory should decide whether to permit slavery. ○ John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrats): Advocated for the expansion of slavery into new territories and states. ○ John Bell (Constitutional Union Party): Focused on preserving the Union and avoiding the slavery issue. Outcome: Lincoln won the presidency with a majority of Northern votes. His victory was unacceptable to many Southern states, leading to their secession from the Union. Key Takeaway: Lincoln’s victory in 1860 led directly to the secession of Southern states and the beginning of the Civil War. Viewpoints due to Lincoln’s Victory - Unionists: stay in the Union, Constitution will protect southern states - Secessionists: leave the Union and become independent - Cooperationists: leave the Union as a last resort, ONLY if the other southern states support