Unit 4 - Chapters 13 - 15 - Discussion Questions

Question 1

Describe the provisions of the Compromise of 1850 and evaluate their short and long term impacts.

Answer 1

The Compromise of 1850 was a package of five separate bills passed by the United States Congress. The compromise aimed to defuse a political confrontation between slave and free states on the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. The provisions of the compromise included:

1. California Admission: California was admitted to the Union as a free state.
2. Texas Boundary and Debt: The boundary of Texas was set at its present limits and the federal government assumed Texas’s debt.
3. New Mexico and Utah Territories: The territories of New Mexico and Utah were organized under the rule of popular sovereignty, meaning the settlers in these territories would decide whether they would become slave or free states.
4. Fugitive Slave Act: A more stringent Fugitive Slave Law was enacted, requiring citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves and denying slaves the right to a jury trial.
5. Slave Trade in D.C.: The slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in the District of Columbia.
   Short-Term Impacts of the Compromise of 1850

The Compromise of 1850 temporarily eased sectional tensions between the North and the South. It achieved a delicate balance between free and slave states with the admission of California as a free state and the implementation of popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico. However, the Fugitive Slave Act aroused significant opposition in the North, as it mandated personal involvement in the institution of slavery.

Long-Term Impacts of the Compromise of 1850

Despite the temporary relief, the Compromise of 1850 set the stage for the heightened conflict over slavery. The Act’s provisions, especially the Fugitive Slave Act and the imposition of popular sovereignty, deepened the sectional divide:

1. The Fugitive Slave Act caused outrage in the North and led to increased abolitionist sentiment, as many Northerners who were previously indifferent towards slavery were now forced to participate in the institution.
2. Popular sovereignty in the Utah and New Mexico territories heightened conflict and led to instances of violence like “Bleeding Kansas,” as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers rushed to influence the status of these territories.
3. Overall, the Compromise of 1850 only postponed the secession crisis, failing to address the fundamental issue of slavery and its expansion into the territories. It was a significant step on the path to the Civil War, as the country became further divided over the issue of slavery.

Question 2

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the North and South in the Civil War.

Answer 2

The North (Union)

Advantages

• Population: The North had a significantly larger population than the South. This provided a larger pool from which to draw soldiers and a larger civilian population to support the war effort.
• Industry: The North had a more developed industrial base, producing most of the country’s manufactured goods. This meant they could produce weapons, uniforms, and other war materials more efficiently.
• Infrastructure: The North had a much more extensive railway system, which allowed for quicker and more efficient transportation of troops and supplies.
• Naval Strength: The North had a stronger navy, which was used to blockade Southern ports and cut off vital supplies.
• Government: The Union had an established government and was recognized internationally.
  Disadvantages
• Offensive War: The North had to invade and subdue the South, which meant they were often fighting in unfamiliar territory.
• Less Motivated Troops: Some argue that Northern soldiers were generally less motivated, as they were not defending their own homes and way of life to the same extent as Southern soldiers.
  The South (Confederacy)

Advantages

• Defensive War: The South was fighting a defensive war on its own soil, meaning they were defending familiar territory and often had the support of the local population.
• Motivated Troops: Many Southern soldiers felt they were fighting for their way of life and their homes, which can lead to high motivation.
• Experienced Officers: Many of the most experienced officers from the United States Army hailed from the South and chose to fight for the Confederacy, including Robert E. Lee.
  Disadvantages
• Population: The South had a smaller population, which meant fewer men to draw into the army and a smaller civilian population to support the war effort.
• Industry: The South had a largely agricultural economy with much less industrial capacity than the North, meaning they had more difficulty producing weapons and other war materials.
• Infrastructure: The South had fewer railways, making transportation of troops and supplies more challenging.
• Naval Strength: The South had a much smaller navy and was unable to break the Union blockade of its ports.
• Economy: The South’s economy was less diversified and heavily reliant on a small number of staple crops, making it vulnerable to Union naval blockades and the seizure of agricultural areas.

Each of these factors played a role in the overall outcome of the Civil War. The Union’s advantages in population, industry, infrastructure, and naval power proved decisive in their victory, despite the significant challenges they faced.

Question 3

List and explain the effects of the Civil War

Answer 3

The American Civil War had profound and lasting effects on the United States, reshaping the nation’s political, economic, and social structures. Here are some of the major effects:

1. Abolition of Slavery: The Civil War resulted in the abolition of slavery in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation of 1862 declared enslaved people in Confederate-held territories to be free, and the 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery throughout the entire country.
2. Changes in Federal and State Powers: The Civil War resolved the longstanding debate about states’ rights vs. federal authority. The Union victory affirmed the supremacy of the federal government over states. This marked a shift in the balance of power from states to the federal government.
3. Economic Transformation: The war spurred industrialization in the North and devastated the economy of the South. The South’s agriculture-based economy was ruined, while the North’s industrial economy boomed with the production of war supplies.
4. Loss of Life and Destruction: The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history, resulting in the loss of over 600,000 lives. The war also brought massive destruction, especially in the South where most of the battles took place.
5. Reconstruction: After the Civil War, the South underwent a period known as Reconstruction, during which efforts were made to reintegrate the Southern states back into the Union, rebuild the region’s devastated economy, and secure the rights of former slaves. This period was marked by significant political and social conflict.
6. Changes in Social Order: The war brought significant changes in the social order of the South. Freed slaves now sought to establish their own economic independence and secure their civil rights. However, this period also saw the rise of racial violence and the establishment of segregation laws known as “Jim Crow.”
7. Technological Advancements: The Civil War led to advancements in technology and medicine. The need for better weaponry accelerated technological innovation, while the urgent need for medical care for wounded soldiers led to improvements in medical knowledge and practices.
8. Constitutional Amendments: Three major constitutional amendments were ratified: the 13th (abolished slavery), 14th (guaranteed citizenship and equal protection under the law), and 15th (prohibited voting restrictions based on race).

Overall, the Civil War was a turning point in American history, shaping the nation’s identity and influencing its trajectory for years to come.

Question 4

By amendment, list the provisions of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the US Constitution.

Answer 4

13th Amendment (1865):
This amendment formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment (1868):
This amendment granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” including former slaves, and provided all citizens with “equal protection under the laws,” regardless of race.

15th Amendment (1870):
This amendment prohibited the federal government and each state from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen’s “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

Question 5

State the provisions and results of the Homestead Act, Morrill Land Act, and Transcontinental Railroad Act.

Answer 5

Homestead Act (1862):

Provisions: The Homestead Act allowed any adult citizen, or intended citizen, who had never borne arms against the U.S. government to claim 160 acres of surveyed government land. Claimants were required to “improve” the plot by building a dwelling and cultivating crops. If the settler lived on the land for five years, they could then claim the land as their own.

Results: This act resulted in the distribution of 270 million acres, or 10% of the area of the United States, to 1.6 million homesteads. While it was intended to grant land to small farmers, many larger operations found ways to consolidate these smaller plots. In many cases, the land was not suitable for farming, leading to failures and forfeitures. Nonetheless, the act greatly contributed to the westward expansion of the United States.

Morrill Land-Grant Act (1862):

Provisions: The Morrill Act provided each state with 30,000 acres of Federal land for each member in their Congressional delegation. The land was then sold by the states and the proceeds were used to fund public colleges that focused on agriculture and the mechanical arts, hence their common name, “land-grant colleges”.

Results: This act led to the creation of many universities and helped make higher education more accessible to the average American. Today, more than 100 land-grant institutions exist, including prominent universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of California system.

Pacific Railway Act (Transcontinental Railroad Act, 1862):

Provisions: The Pacific Railway Act granted two railroad companies (the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad) the right to build the transcontinental railroad. These companies received massive land grants and loans for every mile of track laid. The intention was to connect the Eastern United States with California.

Results: The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 revolutionized transportation in the U.S., allowing goods and people to travel across the country in a week, compared to the months it would have taken previously. This facilitated the further settlement and development of the American West. However, construction of the railroad often led to the displacement of Native American populations and had significant environmental impacts.

Question 6

List the activities of the Freedmen’s Bureau.

Answer 6

The Freedmen’s Bureau, officially known as the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, was established in 1865 by the U.S. government to aid and protect the newly freed African American population in the South after the Civil War. Its primary activities included:

1. Education: The Bureau established many schools for freed people, some of which would eventually become historically black colleges and universities. It provided teachers, supplies, and resources to help educate freedmen and their children.
2. Labor Contracts: The Bureau helped negotiate labor contracts between freedmen and white landowners. It aimed to ensure fair wages and treatment, although the results were mixed due to the South’s desire to maintain the old social structure.
3. Relief Efforts: The Bureau provided food, clothing, and medical services to both black and white refugees who had been displaced by the war.
4. Land Management: The Bureau was initially given authority to divide abandoned and confiscated Southern land into small plots for sale to freedmen and white citizens loyal to the Union. However, President Andrew Johnson rescinded the policy, returning the lands to their pre-war owners.
5. Legal Aid: The Bureau established courts in Southern states to settle disputes and to ensure the legal rights of freedmen were protected. These courts also helped to mitigate some of the effects of the Black Codes, laws passed by Southern states restricting the freedoms of African Americans.
6. Promoting Reconstruction: The Bureau was instrumental in implementing and overseeing the policy of Reconstruction in the South, including registering freedmen to vote and establishing new state governments.

The Bureau was disbanded in 1872, and while it had some successes, its efforts were often obstructed by Southern opposition and lack of support from the federal government. Its legacy is mixed, but it represented a significant early effort by the federal government to promote racial equality and civil rights.

Question 7

Describe the candidates in the Election of 1876, and the provisions and results of the Bargain of 1877.

Answer 7

The Election of 1876:

The Election of 1876 was one of the most disputed presidential elections in American history. The two main candidates were:

• Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican Party): Hayes was a former governor of Ohio, a lawyer, and a staunch defender of civil rights for black Americans. He had also served as a major general in the Union Army during the Civil War.
• Samuel J. Tilden (Democratic Party): Tilden was a former governor of New York and a successful lawyer who had fought against corruption in his own party. He campaigned on a platform of reform, promising to end Reconstruction and bring back home rule to Southern states.

The Bargain of 1877:

The results of the 1876 election were extremely close and initially unclear due to electoral disputes in four states. Congress set up a special Electoral Commission to decide the outcome.

The Compromise of 1877, also known as the Bargain of 1877, was an unwritten deal informally arranged among U.S. Congressmen. It resulted in the following provisions:

1. Installation of Hayes as President: The Electoral Commission awarded all the disputed electoral votes to Hayes, giving him a one-vote victory in the Electoral College.
2. End of Reconstruction: In return, Republicans promised to withdraw federal troops from the South, effectively ending the Reconstruction era.
3. Home Rule: This term meant that Southern states could manage their affairs without Northern interference, especially on issues related to race and black people’s rights.
4. Southern Improvements: The Republicans also promised to provide federal subsidies for the construction of the Southern transcontinental railroad line and to appoint a Southerner to the Hayes cabinet.

Results of the Bargain of 1877:

The compromise led to the immediate end of the Reconstruction era and the start of the Jim Crow era. While it allowed Hayes to assume the presidency, it left the African American population in the South vulnerable to the imposition of a harsh racial segregation system and the erosion of the civil rights gains they had achieved during Reconstruction. The promised federal aid to Southern infrastructure did not materialize to the extent promised, leaving the South to lag behind the North economically.

Question 8

Describe America’s three political party alignments (Federalists vs Republicans, Democrats vs Whigs, Democrats vs Republicans), addressing the origins, positions and fall (where applicable) of each.

Answer 8

1. Federalists vs. Republicans (1790s - early 1800s)

Origins: This first party system arose out of disputes over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and disagreements over the interpretation of its provisions. The Federalist Party was the first American political party, founded by Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and other supporters of the Constitution. The Democratic-Republican Party (also known as the Jeffersonian Republicans) was formed in opposition by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Positions: Federalists favored a strong central government, a loose interpretation of the Constitution, a commercial and industrial economy, and close ties with Britain. They were typically supported by Northern merchants, manufacturers, and commercial farmers. Republicans favored states’ rights, a strict interpretation of the Constitution, an agrarian economy, and closer ties with France. They were typically supported by Southern and Western farmers and planters.

Fall: The Federalist Party started to decline after the War of 1812 and disappeared completely after the Hartford Convention in 1814, where they were seen as disloyal. The Republicans eventually evolved into the Democratic Party.

2. Democrats vs. Whigs (1830s - 1850s)

Origins: The Democratic Party, which grew out of the Democratic-Republican Party, was led by Andrew Jackson. The Whig Party was formed in opposition to what they viewed as Jackson’s autocratic rule.

Positions: Democrats favored states’ rights, limited government, and were more pro-slavery. They were supported by small farmers, urban laborers, and new immigrants, particularly in the South and West. Whigs favored a strong central government, modernization, economic protectionism, and were more likely to oppose slavery. They were supported by bankers, business owners, and wealthier Southern planters and Northern merchants.

Fall: The Whig Party began to fracture in the 1850s due to sectional tensions over slavery, leading to its dissolution. Many former Whigs helped to form the new Republican Party.

3. Democrats vs. Republicans (1850s - present)

Origins: The Republican Party was formed in the 1850s by anti-slavery activists and former members of the Whig Party. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president.

Positions: Initially, Republicans were anti-slavery and favored a strong central government, modernization, and economic protectionism. Democrats, particularly in the South, were pro-slavery and favored states’ rights and limited government. Over time, these positions evolved and shifted due to many factors, including the Great Depression, civil rights movement, and realignment of party platforms.

Fall: These two parties continue to be the two major parties in U.S. politics to this day, but their platforms and bases of support have shifted significantly over time. For example, Southern states, once solidly Democratic, are now mostly Republican, while many urban and coastal areas, once Republican, are now mostly Democratic.