Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act on May 30, 1854. The Act repealed the Missouri Compromise (which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30´) and allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. The Act angered many in the North who considered the Missouri Compromise to be a binding agreement. In the pro-slavery South, however, it was strongly supported. After the Act passed, both pro and anti-slavery supporters rushed to Kansas to affect the outcome of the vote on slavery. Violence erupted, earning Kansas the nickname “bleeding Kansas.”
Questions
1. How many slave states were there in 1854? _________ Free states? _________
2. Why did the Missouri Compromise need to be repealed for this new law?
3. Which group of Americans preferred the Missouri Compromise and why? Free State or Territory Slave State or Territory Territory Open to Slavery by Popular Sovereignty under the Compromise of 1850 Open to Slavery by Popular Sovereignty under the KansasNebraska Act
4. What is Popular Sovereignty?
5. Why did Northerners and Southerners go to Kansas after this Act was passed?
6. When Northern abolitionists looked at a map of America in 1854, what might have concerned them?
7. When Southern slaveholders looked at the map, what would have caused them concern?
8. Senator Stephen Douglas said the main idea behind the Kansas–Nebraska Act was popular sovereignty, “the great principle of self-government.” Whose voices were absent in the decision over whether or not to permit slavery in the territories and why were they ignored?
9. Stephen Douglas predicted that the Kansas–Nebraska Act would “impart peace to the country & stability to the Union.” Was he correct? Explain why or why not.
10. Abraham Lincoln said, “I particularly object to … this Nebraska law because it assumes that there CAN be MORAL RIGHT in the enslaving of one man by another.” Do you agree with him that even if people vote in favor of an issue, it can be deemed immoral and illegal by the government? Can you think of another issue where this might be the case? Explain
2. Why did the Missouri Compromise need to be repealed for this new law?
3. Which group of Americans preferred the Missouri Compromise and why? Free State or Territory Slave State or Territory Territory Open to Slavery by Popular Sovereignty under the Compromise of 1850 Open to Slavery by Popular Sovereignty under the KansasNebraska Act
4. What is Popular Sovereignty?
5. Why did Northerners and Southerners go to Kansas after this Act was passed?
6. When Northern abolitionists looked at a map of America in 1854, what might have concerned them?
7. When Southern slaveholders looked at the map, what would have caused them concern?
8. Senator Stephen Douglas said the main idea behind the Kansas–Nebraska Act was popular sovereignty, “the great principle of self-government.” Whose voices were absent in the decision over whether or not to permit slavery in the territories and why were they ignored?
9. Stephen Douglas predicted that the Kansas–Nebraska Act would “impart peace to the country & stability to the Union.” Was he correct? Explain why or why not.
10. Abraham Lincoln said, “I particularly object to … this Nebraska law because it assumes that there CAN be MORAL RIGHT in the enslaving of one man by another.” Do you agree with him that even if people vote in favor of an issue, it can be deemed immoral and illegal by the government? Can you think of another issue where this might be the case? Explain
Picture Analysis
Based on the information learned today, explain what is being portrayed in the picture. For help refer to this link |