1. Bell Work What was the embargo Act? What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? This Day in History: April 8, 1974- Hank Aaron hits his 715 th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s all time home run record. April 8, 1981- WWII General, Omar Bradley dies. April 8, 2013- Great Britain’s first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher dies.

2. Politics of the 1850s Dred Scott Lincoln-Douglas Debates

3. Elections of 1856 Some Whigs, Democrats, Free-Soilers, and abolitionists joined in 1854 to form the Republican Party. United against spread of slavery in the West. Democrats were in trouble. Those who supported the Kansas- Nebraska debate were not re-elected. Nominated James Buchanan, Polk's secretary of state, who had not been involved in Kansas-Nebraska debate. Buchanan was elected by winning 14 of 15 slave states.

5. Dred Scott v. Sanford Dried Scott was slave of Missouri physician. Had been taken to free territory by owner. Sued for freedom in 1846 after owner died, arguing he had become free when he lived in free territory. Case reached Supreme Court in 1857. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote majority opinion. Ruled that African Americans, whether free or slave, were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court; also ruled Missouri Compromise restriction on slavery was unconstitutional.

6. Lincoln-Douglas Debates What important issues did Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debate? What impact would the debates on the future of the Democratic and Republican parties? What did Lincoln have to do in order to keep Republicans from supporting Stephen Douglas? Explain the warnings Lincoln give about the expansion of slavery. What influenced Douglas’ ideas and how did he view the slavery question? What was the outcome and the importance of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates?

7. A House Divided Speech What policy is Lincoln referring to when he says we are in the fifth year of a policy that was meant to put an end to slavery agitation? How does he view that policy? What does Lincoln mean by the phrase, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” What does Lincoln say about the Dred Scott case? What are Lincoln’s views on Stephen Douglas?