From Compromise to Conflict
The Crisis Unfolds
SSUSH8 The student will explain the relationship between growing north-south divisions and westward expansion.
a. Explain how slavery became a significant issue in American politics; include the slave rebellion of Nat Turner and the rise of abolitionism (William Lloyd
Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and the Grimke sisters).
b. Explain the Missouri Compromise and the issue of slavery in western states and territories.
c. Describe the Nullification Crisis and the emergence of states’ rights ideology; include the role of John C. Calhoun and development of sectionalism.
d. Describe the war with Mexico and the Wilmot Proviso.
e. Explain how the Compromise of 1850 arose out of territorial expansion and population growth.
SSUSH9 The student will identify key events, issues, and individuals relating to the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War.
a. Explain the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the failure of popular sovereignty, Dred Scott case, and John Brown’s Raid.
f. Explain the importance of the growing economic disparity between the North and the South through an examination of population, functioning railroads,
and industrial output.
 Students will assume the roles of Northerners and Southerners and attempt to reach compromises on three of the issues that led to the Civil War.
Sitting in groups, representing your region, you will listen to a series of recordings and examine images that give you the background information on
the conflict that led to the:
1. Compromise of 1850
2. Dred Scott Case
3. Growing Sectionalism
4. Crisis of Secession
 After learning about each topic, fill out the following DRC with the appropriate information. You will use this information to help you argue your
case for your region.
 Once we have come to a compromise on each issue, you will listen to another recording that we explain how each situation was really handled.
What were the ultimate conflicts between the North and South that led the United States to go to war with itself?
Slide/Topic
Missouri Compromise
Can you stop the Civil War?
Issue # 1
How will slavery affect the well being of United States?
Key Vocabulary
Why or How did this topic increase
For this Topic
tensions between the North and South?
Missouri
Compromise
1.
Free States
2.
Slave States
3.
4.
How can your side use this to help or
aide your region in settling for
compromise?
1.
Gag Rule
William Lloyd
Garrison
2.
Liberator
3.
Illustrations of slavery
4.
First-hand
accounts of
slavery
1.
2.
Fredrick
Douglass
3.
Sojourner Truth
Rise of abolitionism
“Horrid Massacre” Nat Turner’s Slave Rebellion
Grimke Sisters
4.
Nat Turner
1.
Nat Turner’s
Rebellion
2.
3.
4.
Slide/Topic
Key Vocabulary
For this Topic
Why or How did this topic increase
tensions between the North and South?
Harriet Tubman
1.
Underground
Railroad
2.
Fugitive Slave
law
3.
How can your side use this to help or
aide your region in settling for
compromise?
Runaway Slaves
4.
Map of U.S. 1848
1.
War with
Mexico
2.
Annexation
3.
Wilmot Proviso
4.
War with Mexico
Stop… Time to take this information and Compromise
It is 1850. Congress is in an uproar over California and slavery. You will need all your skills as a compromiser to settle this conflict and keep the union from
flying apart…
Your Compromise… it should address the following questions
1. Should California be admitted to the Union as a free state?
2. What stand, if any, should Congress take on the future of slavery in New Mexico and Utah territories?
3. What, if anything, should be done about slavery in Washington D.C.?
4. Should Congress pass a strong new fugitive slave law?
The North’s Starting Position… How do you propose to fix this issue
The South’s Starting Position… How do you propose to fix this issue








Your Compromise: The Compromise of 1850
Once your groups (regions) have decided how they want to address each issue, the two regions must come
together and hash out their differences and create a Compromise to prevent a Civil War…. Good Luck
Justification with Key Vocabulary
Using @ least two pieces of key vocab from this Issue, justify
why your group decided to write your compromise as you did
1. Should California be admitted to the Union as a free state?

1.
2. What stand, if any, should Congress take on the future of slavery in New Mexico and Utah territories?
2.

3. What, if anything, should be done about slavery in Washington D.C.?
3.

4. Should Congress pass a strong new fugitive slave law?
4.

What Really Happened… Compromise of 1850
1.
2.
3.
4.
Issue #2
After the Compromise of 1850, what factors prove to bring out the true feelings of the U.S. in regards to slavery?
Slide/Topic
Key Vocabulary For this Topic
Why or How did this topic increase
tensions between the North and
South?
1.
Fugitive Slave Law
2.
Slave Hunters
3.
Poster warning Colored People
1.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
2.
Cover of Uncle Tom’s Cabin
1.
Stephen A. Douglas
Popular Sovereignty
2.
Kansas – Nebraska Act
Map of U.S. 1854
How can your side use this to help
or aide your region in settling for
compromise?
1.
John Brown
Bleeding Kansas
2.
“Bleeding Kansas”
1.
Senator Charles Sumner
2.
Representative Preston Brooks
3.
Beating of Charles Sumner by Preston Brooks
4.
1.
Dred Scott
2.
Chief Justice Roger Taney
3.
Dred Scot
Stop… Time to take all information into account and make a decision
After the Compromise of 1850, what factors prove to bring out the true feelings of the U.S. in regards to slavery?
The Supreme Court is considering the case of Dred Scott, a slave who is suing for his freedom. Consider the arguments on each question in this difficult
case. Then assume the role of Chief Justice Roger Taney and make a decision on this issue that you can all live with.
(Take into account all information discussed in this section… all the feelings, attitudes, events, civil and government violence… your decision on slavery in
this case could hold the country together or tear it apart)
Your Decision… Questions for you to consider
1. Was Dred Scott, a black man and a slave, a citizen of the US with the right to bring a case in a federal court?
2. Did his time in Wisconsin make him a free man?
3. Does Congress have the power under the Constitution to make any laws concerning slavery in the territories?
The North’s Starting Position… How do you propose to fix this issue
The South’s Starting Position… How do you propose to fix this issue








Your Decision… The Dred Scott Ruling
Justification with the use of Key Vocabulary
1. Was Dred Scott, a black man and a slave, a citizen of the US with the right to
bring a case in a federal court?

1.
2. Did his time in Wisconsin make him a free man?

2.
3. Does Congress have the power under the Constitution to make any laws
concerning slavery in the territories?

3.
What Really Happened… The Dred Scott Decision
1.
2.
3.
Slide/Topic
Issue # 3
How did differences between the North and South lead to growing sectionalism?
Key Vocabulary
Why or How did this topic increase
How can your side use this to help or
For this Topic
tensions between the North and South?
aide your region in settling for
compromise?
Nullification
1.
Crisis
Tariffs of 1828,
1832
2.
John C. Calhoun
Nullification Crisis
States’ Rights
ideology
3.
Sectionalism
4.
Secession
Economic
Disparity
1.
Railroads
2.
Industrial
Output
3.
Population
4.
Economic Disparity between the North and South
Stop… Time to take this information and Compromise
In the decades leading up to 1860, the North and the South are frequently at odds over their differences. The slave states are talking about secession
(leaving the Union). Your job is to find some compromise that will prevent civil war.
Your Compromise… it should address the following questions
1. What should be done about the tariff situation?
2. How should the government address the disagreement about nullification? Should states have that right?
3. How should the federal government deal with John C. Calhoun and South Carolina?
4. How should the government deal with the economic disparity between the North and the South?
The North’s Starting Position… How do you propose to fix this issue
The South’s Starting Position… How do you propose to fix this issue








Your Compromise: Secession
Once your groups (regions) have decided how they want to address each issue, the two
regions must come together and hash out their differences and create a Compromise to
prevent a Civil War…. Good Luck
Justification with Key Vocabulary
Your groups “Justification” of your compromise using @ least two pieces of
key vocab from this section.
1. What should be done about the tariff disagreement?

1.
2. How should the federal government address the disagreement about
nullification?

Should states have that right?
2.
3. How should the government deal with John C. Calhoun and South Carolina?

3.
4. How should the government deal with economic disparity between the North
and South?

4.
What Really Happened… Nullification Crisis and Sectionalism
Issue # 4
How did the formation of the Republican Party and the Election of Abraham Lincoln, as President, ultimately cause the split of the Union (US)?
Slide/Topic
Key Vocabulary
Why or How did this topic increase
How can your side use this to help or
For this Topic
tensions between the North and South?
aide your region in settling for
compromise?
1.
Republican
Party
Lincoln’s
2.
“House
Divided” Speech
Lincoln-Douglas 3.
Debates
Abe Lincoln
4.
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas
Slide/Topic
Stephen Douglas
SFI For this
Topic
Why or How did this topic increase
tensions between the North and South?
1.
John Brown
John Brown’s
Raid
2.
John Brown “Harpers Ferry, Virginia”
How can your side use this to help or
aide your region in settling for
compromise?
1.
2.
Secession
3.
Presidential Election of 1860
1.
Fort Sumter
2.
The Bombardment of Fort Sumter
Stop… Time to take this information and Compromise
It is the end of 1860. Lincoln has just been elected president. The slave states are talking about secession (leaving the Union). Your job is to find some
compromise on slavery that will prevent civil war.
Your Compromise… it should address the following questions
1. What should be done about slavery where it already exists?
2. What should be done about slavery in the territories?
3. What should be done about fugitive slaves?
4. What should the federal government do if a state decides to secede?
The North’s Starting Position… How do you propose to fix this issue
The South’s Starting Position… How do you propose to fix this issue








Your Compromise: Secession
Once your groups (regions) have decided how they want to address each issue, the two
regions must come together and hash out their differences and create a Compromise to
prevent a Civil War…. Good Luck
Justification with Key Vocabulary
Your groups “Justification” of your compromise using @ least two pieces of
Key vocabulary from this section.
1. What should be done about slavery where it already exists?
1.

2. What should be done about slavery in the territories?
2.

3. What should be done about fugitive slaves?
3.

4. What should the federal government do if a state decides to secede?
4.

What Really Happened… Secession
Here we GO… The Fighting Begins!
Starting Points for the North: Cheat Sheet
Use the information provided to assist you and your region in formulating a peaceful resolution to the problems that lie ahead for the US. In
no way should you allow the South to see your ideas, feelings or attitudes on these issues until revealed to them in your compromise
sessions. Remember, though for are pushing your agenda, you must reach some sort of compromise in order to get the Union together.
Can you Stop the Civil War?
The Compromise of 1850

Supports statehood of California as a free state

Demands an end to slavery and slave trade in Washington D.C.

Wants to ban slavery in New Mexico and Utah territories

Opposes any fugitive slave law that would endanger runaways
The Dred Scott Case

The Constitution does not limit citizenship to white people

By taking Scott to free territory, his owner gave up his rights to treat Scott like a slave

Congress can make laws banning slavery in territories
Sectionalism

States do not have the right to nullify an act of Congress, the Constitution does not allow for this (Supremacy Clause)

Tariffs support the national economy, which benefits all Americans

John C. Calhoun and other states’ rights advocates just want to protect slavery; they should not be allowed to secede from the union.
Secession

Slavery is immoral and must not be allowed to expand

Secession is illegal. Once a state, always a state

The Union must be preserved; we will fight to keep it together
Starting Points for the South: Cheat Sheet
Use the information provided to assist you and your region in formulating a peaceful resolution to the problems that lie ahead for the US. In
no way should you allow the North to see your ideas, feelings or attitudes on these issues until revealed to them in your compromise
sessions. Remember, though for are pushing your agenda, you must reach some sort of compromise in order to get the Union together.
Can you Stop the Civil War?

The Compromise of 1850
Opposes letting free states gain a majority in the Senate (maintain sectional balance); are hesitant to allow California admission to the Union
unless other territories or states are open to slavery

Believes slavery must be allowed to expand into Utah and New Mexico

Believes Congress has no power to meddle with slavery wherever it already exist

Demands a strong fugitive slave law to help track down runaways

Scott was born a slave, not a citizen; has no right to sue

Scott returned to Missouri as a slave and should continue to be treated as a slave under Missouri law

Under the Constitution, Congress cannot make laws that deny people the use of their property (including slaves) anywhere

Sectionalism
States should have the right to nullify an act of Congress they deem unconstitutional or unfair. (10th amendment; reserved powers)

Tariffs should not be passed that favor one region but hurt another.

States’ rights are about protecting our rights against a national government that seeks too much power.

Slavery is moral and must be allowed to expand

A state comes into the Union on its own free choice and may leave whenever it chooses

The south and its way of life must be preserved; we will secede if our rights are threatened
The Dred Scott Case
Secession