pt 3

Question 1

pp. 168-170, on the U.S. Constitution: Why do you think Douglass opposed William Lloyd Garrison, by claiming that the U.S. Constitution actually did not have a “single pro-slavery clause in it”? How did he argue this point? Opinion/Discussion: Who do you think was right on this issue: Garrison or Douglass?

Answer 1

In regards to the last question, Frederick Douglas opposed William Lloyd Garrison not because of what the constitution said, but what it avoided saying. The constitution did not explicitly profess any pro-slavery clauses spelled out in words, but the context of its creation speaks for itself. When the constitution was created, its ratification was not assured partially due to the prior existence of the articles of confederation. On top of this, they wanted the vote to be as unanimous as possible because they were essentially overthrowing the previous government and creating a new structure with more centralization. The framers decided that in order to convince the southern states to ratify the new constitution, they would compromise on the topic of the revision of slavery laws. This isn’t a complete endorsement of slavery, but it is clearly created a space for acceptance by the southern community. By making a more neutral document, the creators chose a pro-slavery concession that strongly influence the culture in America long past the civil war and even to this day. What makes it even less ideal is the fact that the language used in the constitution is broad and it seems to apply to everyone, but the fact that it excludes African Americans is de-humanizing, and what Douglas was pointing to when he said there were evident pro-slavery clauses in the constitution.

Question 2

Give your analysis of what Stanton said about women’s “moral superiority.” First of all, what did Stanton actually say on this subject?

Answer 2

Women in order to balance out the scale of male intellectual superiority must have moral superiority. Because they were the homemakers, their best shot to assert any equality was through the moral route.

Question 3

Carefully explain the “popular sovereignty” concept in relation to a) the
Compromise of 1850, and b) the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.

Answer 3

settlers of the territories should decide if slavery will have a role for themselves. Kansas-Nebraska went against Compromise of 1850, to allow slavery to take place as long as settlers decide it will happen by a majority.

Question 4

Missouri Compromise,

Answer 4

1820, between whigs and democrats concerning the nature of slavery in the remaining territories, 36’x30 line.

Question 5

Dred Scott decision:

Answer 5

slave state did not have to honor decisions made by free states.

Question 6

Fugitive Slave Act,

Answer 6

1850. Kidnap free blacks and sell them by turning them in as escaped slaves.

Question 7

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854),

Answer 7

1854; Douglass needed support to create Nebraska territory, made it open to slavery by popular sovereignty.

Question 8

“Bleeding Kansas,”

Answer 8

massacres and uprisings took place in Kansas in the years between the 1854 act and civil war.

Question 9

Wilmont Proviso,

Answer 9

1846, brought official politicization of slavery, what brought a desire for expansion among democrats, but also argued like Northwest ordinance against slavery in new lands.

Question 10

Sum up Lincoln’s words, aims, and actions concerning the purpose of the
war in the early months of that conflict

Answer 10

to preserve the union

Question 11

Explain Lincoln’s reasoning, given in his First Inaugural Address, for why majority rule is so important in American political life. (Note: “The rule of a minority”=by a minority.)

Answer 11

The rule of majority must be preserved in order for society to be preserved. The minority in turn must respect the ruling of the majority.

Question 12

John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry,

Answer 12

John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry: Gathered group of radical abolitionists, raided harpers ferry arsenal. Provoked slave uprising. Attacked plantation owners. Lee captured and killed him. South later feared there would be more Browns. Saw Brown as the face of the Republican party despite his radical nature.

Question 13

John C. Frémont: Missouri Proclamation,

Answer 13

John C. Fremont: Missouri Proclamation: Passed in 1861, ruled all Missouri slaves to be emancipated

Question 14

“Contraband,”

Answer 14

Contraband: Any slave who escaped to union lines, regarded as property.

Question 15

Robert Gould Shaw: Massachusetts 54th Infantry,

Answer 15

Robert Gould Shaw: Massachusetts 54th Infantry: First black regiment that saw combat – led attack against Ft. Wagner - many died and fort was not taken – General was a white guy

Question 16

Sherman’s March to the Sea,

Answer 16

Sherman’s March to the Sea: Went from Atlanta to Savannah, destroying southern properties of anyone who stood in opposition. Helped end the strength of the south, as husbands were called back to defend their homes.

Question 17

John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry,

Answer 17

John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry: Gathered group of radical abolitionists, raided harpers ferry arsenal. Provoked slave uprising. Attacked plantation owners. Lee captured and killed him. South later feared there would be more Browns. Saw Brown as the face of the Republican party despite his radical nature.

Question 18

Explain the transition, between December 1861 and 22 September 1862, from limited war to “revolution.” What factors explain how/why Lincoln made that transition?

Answer 18

Lincoln used limited war because he didn’t want to destroy southern land he thought would be his to fix soon after, and also saw that he needed to keep the border slave states from joining confederacy. When he came to realize that he couldn’t beat the south without doing something about slavery, he adjusted his policy, to gain support from Radical republicans, as well as undermine southern economy a bit more.

Question 19

What were Lincoln’s views on the question of emancipation during the first year of the war?

Answer 19

He supported it personally, but did not see it to be constitutional to enforce - said if he could win the war by freeing all, none, or some of the slaves he would do it

Question 20

Why did President Lincoln decide to issue the Emancipation Proclamation? What did it say? What was the Preliminary EP (September 1862) intended to accomplish, and how, specifically, was it supposed to work?

Answer 20

He saw it as the next best tactical move for the time he was in. It said that all slaves in rebelling states were considered free. The Preliminary EP served as a warning, it offered the south the option to rejoin the union and keep their slaves.

Question 21

What new thing did Lincoln say in his famous August 22, 1862 letter to Horace Greeley?

Answer 21

His personal wish that slavery could end, keeping in mind this wish was lesser to that of unity.

Question 22

About how many black troops eventually served in the U.S. army during the Civil War?

Answer 22

180,000