| Conflict Over Slavery Writing Exercises |
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Click here to print. Answers will vary. 1. Explain why large numbers of northern workers, despite many having racist inclinations, were opposed to slavery. Most northern workers opposed slavery because they saw it as an economic threat. The system of enslaved labor devalued the work of free white laborers, threatening their jobs and suppressing their wages. 2. Illustrate how the Underground Railroad operated. The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses and routes operated by "conductors." Escaping enslaved people traveled by night, guided by helpers like Harriet Tubman. They moved from station to station until reaching freedom in the North or Canada. 3. Discuss the pros and cons of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The Kansas-Nebraska Act's pro was its promotion of popular sovereignty, allowing settlers to decide on slavery. The cons were profound: it repealed the Missouri Compromise, led to violent conflict in "Bleeding Kansas," and heightened national tensions that accelerated the path to Civil War. 4. Given the laws which existed at the time, do you believe that the Dred Scott decision was fair? Do you see any logical inconsistencies in forcing a slave to remain a slave despite relocating to a free state? While the legal framework was biased against black rights, the Dred Scott decision was widely considered legally unfair and politically radical. It ignored precedent, like Scott's prolonged residence in free territories, and extended beyond the case to declare the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, shocking many legal scholars. 5. Describe the concept of secession. Secession is the act of a state or region formally withdrawing from a larger political union, such as a nation. It asserts the principle that membership in the union is voluntary and can be dissolved if the state's sovereignty is threatened. |
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The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was a significant piece of legislation that had profound and far-reaching consequences for the United States. It aimed to address the issue of westward expansion and the organization of new territories, particularly in the context of slavery. Pros: Popular Sovereignty: One of the key principles of the Kansas-Nebraska Act was the concept of popular sovereignty, which allowed the residents of the territories (Kansas and Nebraska) to decide whether they would allow slavery or not. This was seen as a way to resolve the contentious issue of slavery expansion peacefully and through democratic means. Territorial Organization: The Act provided for the organization and settlement of the Kansas and Nebraska territories, which were essential for westward expansion. It opened up new opportunities for settlement and economic development in these regions. Economic Interests: Proponents argued that allowing settlers to decide on the issue of slavery in these territories would enable them to make decisions based on their economic interests. In areas with agricultural economies, such as Kansas, this could have significant economic implications. Cons: Repeal of the Missouri compromise: The Kansas-Nebraska Act effectively repealed the Missouri compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery in the territories north of a designated line (36°30' N). This repeal was seen as a betrayal of the longstanding compromise and further deepened sectional tensions. Violence in "Bleeding Kansas": The Act's implementation led to violent conflicts in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers. This period, known as "Bleeding Kansas," resulted in bloodshed and brutality as both sides vied for control and influence in the territory. Erosion of National Unity: The Kansas-Nebraska Act intensified the sectional divide between the North and the South over the issue of slavery. It eroded the fragile sense of national unity and made compromise increasingly difficult. Precipitated the Civil War: The Act's promotion of popular sovereignty in determining the status of slavery in new territories ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the American Civil War. The violent clashes in Kansas and the heightened tensions it generated were significant precursors to the conflict. Moral Opposition: Many abolitionists and anti-slavery activists vehemently opposed the Act on moral grounds. They saw it as a betrayal of the principles of freedom and equality and were appalled by the spread of slavery into new territories. In retrospect, the Kansas-Nebraska Act is widely viewed as a flawed and divisive piece of legislation. While it aimed to address the issue of slavery expansion peacefully, it ultimately exacerbated tensions, led to violence, and played a pivotal role in the lead-up to the Civil War. It stands as a stark example of the challenges faced by the United States in reconciling its deeply rooted sectional differences over the institution of slavery. |
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