Antebellum Politics, Expansion, and Debate over Slavery

Question 1

American or Know Nothing Party:

Answer 1

Emerged in 1850s in response to increased immigration, especially from Ireland and Germany.

Question 2

American or Know Nothing Party:

Answer 2

Anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic.

Question 3

American or Know Nothing Party:

Answer 3

Beliefs centered on preserving American culture and institutions from perceived negative immigrant influence.

Question 4

American or Know Nothing Party:

Answer 4

Impact: Won seats in Congress and state legislatures, reflecting nativist sentiments.

Question 5

Division over Free Labor vs. Slavery:

Answer 5

Intensified in early 1800s due to economic changes, westward expansion, and moral considerations.

Question 6

Division over Free Labor vs. Slavery:

Answer 6

Free Soil free labor ideology emerged, advocating for moral and economic superiority of free labor over slave labor.

Question 7

Division over Free Labor vs. Slavery:

Answer 7

Impact: Formation of political parties like Free Soil Party, shifts in political alliances, eventual outbreak of Civil War.

Question 8

Increase in Debate about Slavery:

Answer 8

Caused by westward expansion and acquisition of new territories.

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Question 9

Increase in Debate about Slavery:

Answer 9

Main arguments revolved around morality, economics, and states’ rights.

Question 10

Increase in Debate about Slavery:

Answer 10

Proponents defended slavery as economically necessary and morally justifiable, while opponents condemned it as morally wrong

Question 11

Increase in Debate about Slavery:

Answer 11

Intensified as country grew, leading to political polarization and sectionalism.

Question 12

Growth of Pro-Slavery Arguments:

Answer 12

Reflects slavery’s entrenchment in South’s economy and culture.

Question 13

Growth of Pro-Slavery Arguments:

Answer 13

Justified as fundamental to Southern society and expansion necessary to preserve Southern way of life.

Question 14

Tension from Addition of New States:

Answer 14

Raised questions about slavery’s expansion into new territories.

Question 15

Tension from Addition of New States:

Answer 15

Missouri’s statehood application sparked debate over balance of power between free and slave states.

Question 16

Tension from Addition of New States:

Answer 16

Missouri Compromise attempted to address this by admitting Missouri as slave state and Maine as free, with slavery prohibited north of 36°30’ parallel.

Question 17

Settlement and Annexation of Texas:

Answer 17

Ignited tensions over expansion of slavery into new territories.

Question 18

Settlement and Annexation of Texas:

Answer 18

Raised questions about balance of power between North and South.

Question 19

Mexican-American War:

Answer 19

Resulted from annexation of Texas and disputes over Texas-Mexico border.

Question 20

Mexican-American War:

Answer 20

Acquired territories in Southwest.

Question 21

Mexican-American War:

Answer 21

Intensified debates over expansion of slavery and future of newly acquired territories.

Question 22

Debate over Admission of California and Fugitive Slaves:

Answer 22

Highlighted sectional tensions, especially with passage of Fugitive Slave Law.

Question 23

Debate over Admission of California and Fugitive Slaves:

Answer 23

Demonstrated deepening divide between North and South over slavery and states’ rights.

Question 24

Kansas-Nebraska Act:

Answer 24

Introduced popular sovereignty to determine slavery’s status in new territories.

Question 25

Kansas-Nebraska Act:

Answer 25

Led to violence in Kansas (Bleeding Kansas), demonstrating extremism and polarization over slavery.

Question 26

Kansas-Nebraska Act:

Answer 26

Contributed to growing sectional tensions.

Question 27

Events Increasing Debate over Slavery:

Answer 27

Annexation of Texas, Mexican-American War, Oregon Territory, Compromise of 1850, and Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Question 28

Events Increasing Debate over Slavery:

Answer 28

Raised questions about expansion of slavery and balance of power between free and slave states.

Question 29

Slave-Power Conspiracy:

Answer 29

Northern fears of Southern power and vice versa.

Question 30

Slave-Power Conspiracy:

Answer 30

Shaped politics by exacerbating sectional tensions and contributing to perception of conspiracy.

Question 31

Slave-Power Conspiracy:

Answer 31

Deepened after Dred Scott decision, which ruled Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in territories.

Question 32

Overall Impact:

Answer 32

Events and expansion fueled debates over slavery, exacerbating sectional tensions.

Question 33

Overall Impact:

Answer 33

Challenged nation’s founding ideals of liberty and equality.