1. Four Issues Causing Philosophical Chaos prior to the Civil War
States’ Rights
Individual Rights
Equality
Slavery

2. Territorial Expansion (1800-1854)

3. Colonial America
Colonial days- all 13 colonies practiced slavery in some form
Why do the northern colonies/states eventually abandon the use of slavery?

4. Revolutionary Era slavery as immoral - what was the problem if a
Declaration of Independence
- original draft condemned
slavery as immoral
- what was the problem if a
condemnation of slavery was
included in the final draft?
- was it really an issue at this
time?

5. Revolutionary Era Articles of Confederation - 1st Constitution
- written in 1776, ratified in
1781, replaced in 1787
- why no mention of slavery?
- was it really an issue at this
time?

6. Early Years of the Republic
Constitution
- 3/5 compromise (counting population for representation in the House)
- states’ rights amendment (10th) and
loose construction (interpretation) could help
defend slavery
- slavery could not be debated or legislated against for 20 years (1807)…..why?
- was it really an issue at this time?

7. International Slave Trade
Congress made it illegal in 1808 but the domestic slave trade was alive and well
How was this a compromise?

8. Post War of 1812 Missouri Compromise (1820)
- addition of La. Purchase and
upsetting the “balance”
- Missouri admitted as a slave state, Maine as a free state
- 36°30° line (except Missouri) divided slave and free territory

10. Manifest Destiny (the meaning)
America’s god given right to expand or simply imperialism?
National expansion or expansion of slavery?
National Security or Southern Security?
Was the Mexican/American War justified?

11. Post Mexican/American War
Compromise of 1850
- California admitted as a free state
- Territories of Utah and New Mexico
organized without dealing with slavery
- District of Columbia (slave trade illegal)
- Fugitive Slave Act (stricter) as a token to
the south---commissions set up to hear
cases

13. Post Mexican/American War
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)
- introduced by Stephen Douglas (Illinois)
- repeals Missouri Compromise
- slavery in territories would be
determined based upon popular
sovereignty (Senator Cass of Michigan)
*inhabitants would vote
- causes eruptions of violence
(e.g. “Bleeding Kansas”)

15. Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Who was Dred Scott?
- a slave who lived in “free territory” with his master and subsequently sued for his freedom
Supreme Court Decision
- Dred Scott was defined by the court to be property thus not a citizen and consequently had no right to sue in the first place
Impact of the Court’s decision
- slaves legally defined as property and essentially no distinction between slave and free territory (ones property can be taken anywhere)
*huge victory for pro-slavery southerners

16. Crittenden Compromise
Last ditch effort to settle secession crisis after Lincoln’s election in 1860
Proposed by Senator Crittenden (KY)
Contained multiple constitutional amendments and congressional resolutions
Main provision was to reinstate MO. Compromise and make it permanent
Lincoln immediately rejected upon becoming President