U.S. History
SSUSH: 8: Slavery in Territories
Unit 5, Powerpoint #2 part 1
1. In 1819 the territory of Missouri applied for statehood. Why did this cause a problem for Congress?
Would upset the balance (again) of free and slave states
2. What was the Missouri Compromise?
Maine would enter union as free state
Missouri would enter union as a slave state
3. The compromise also states there would be no slavery north of the 36 – 30 latitude, Missouri’s
southern border.
4. Who was instrumental in helping push the Missouri Compromise through Congress?
Henry Clay (Kentucky)
5. What did Presidents John Quincy Adams and Thomas Jefferson say about the issue of slavery?
Worried it would be the downfall of the union – divide the nation
6. The end of the Mexican War brought increased tension between the North and the South in the
United States.
7. What question became most important for those on each side of the debate?
Should slavery spread westward into the new territories?
8. What did David Wilmot of Pennsylvania propose?
Proposed no slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico
9. His proposal is known as the Wilmot Proviso, and it angered Southerners.
10. How did John Calhoun respond to the Wilmot Proviso?
Said states own territory and Congress has no right-power to tell states
what to do
11. Lewis Cass proposed an idea known as popular sovereignty, which meant:
Citizens of each territory or state decide the issues by voting
12.After the gold rush increased its population California applied to become a state. What was its slave
status? FREE state!
13. Henry Clay, known as “The Great Compromiser” proposes resolutions that he hopes will provide a
compromise between the North and the South.
Compromise of 1850 (proposed by Henry Clay):
Resolution
Benefit North or South?
1. CA admitted as a free state
North
2. Popular sovereignty in NM and UT
Both North and South
3. Resolve TX border dispute with NM
South
4. Pay TX $10 million
South
5. Abolish slave trade in DC
North
6. New Fugitive Slave Act
South
14. What two territories are now open to popular sovereignty for deciding the issue of slavery?
New Mexico and Utah
15. The Fugitive Slave Act allowed southern slave owners to:
Travel North and track down escaped slaves
16. Who pushed the Compromise of 1850 through Congress in the fall of 1850 by breaking it into smaller
bills that allowed representatives to vote in favor of certain parts of the Clay proposed bill and veto
other parts that they did not agree with?
Stephen Douglas
17. According to Henry David Thoreau in “Civil Disobedience,” what kind of laws does he question
whether we should obey?
Unjust Laws
U.S. History
SSUSH: 8: Slavery in Territories
Unit 5, Powerpoint #2 part 2
18. In a desire to open the Northern Plains for settlement, Illinois leader Stephen Douglas proposed
the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
19. Three sections of the Kansas-Nebraska Act:
a. Repealed the Missouri Compromise.
b. Divide the northern Plains territory into two sections, Nebraska (free) and
Kansas(slave).
c. Allow popular sovereignity to determine the issue of slavery.
20. Kansas became a territorial civil war when slave supporters from Missouri attacked Kansas
residents and voted illegally. “BLEEDING KANSAS” (because of fighting and deaths)
21. In May 1856 Charles Sumner a senator from Massachusetts accused slave supporters on the Senate of
corruption.
22.Who caned Sumner? Preston Brooks
- How did Southerners respond? Called him a hero – cheered it on!
- How did Northerners respond? Made them more determined to end slavery
23. The Supreme Court attempted to settle the issue of expansion of slavery into western territories with
the Dred Scott Decision.
24. Dred Scott was a who traveled with his owner from Missouri into free territory for many years.
After his master’s death, he sued for his freedom.
25. For the Dred Scott decision, Roger Taney was the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
26. Why did the Supreme Court decide against Dred Scott?
Stated slaves were property and had no rights because they were not
citizens
27. According to this quote from Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, laws forbidding slavery north of the
Missouri Compromise Line do not follow which document?
The Constitution
28. What other statement did the Supreme Court make about slavery in the western territories?
It was unconstitutional to ban slavery in the U.S.
29. Another important event leading up to the Civil War was John Brown’s raid. He attempted to take
control of the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. He hoped to lead an insurrection
(revolt or riot) of slaves.
John Brown believed slavery will end only with bloodshed - violence
30. Was his rebellion successful? NO
31. What happened to John Brown after his trial?
Executed
32. According to this quote from John Brown, why is he forfeiting his life?
For justice and the future rights and freedom of slaves
33. What was the southern response to John Brown’s raid?
Believed Northerners were plotting the murder of slave owners
Call to “defend themselves!”