Slavery in Texas & United States

Multiple Choice

What does the term 'sectionalism' mean in the context of United States history during the 1840s-1860s?

• Loyalty to one's own region or section of the country, rather than to the country as a whole

• The process of abolishing slavery

• The expansion of the United States to the west

• The creation of new states

Multiple Choice

Which three sections had the United States divided itself into by the late 1850s, and what was the significance of the area known as 'Indian Territory'?

• The North, The South, The West; Indian Territory was primarily occupied by Native Americans forcibly removed from other regions.

• The East, The West, The Central; Indian Territory was a region for European settlers.

• The North, The South, The East; Indian Territory was a region for free African Americans.

• The North, The South, The West; Indian Territory was a region for industrial development.

Multiple Choice

How did economic and political divisions contribute to sectionalism in the United States, particularly between the North and South?

• The North and South had different economic systems and political interests, especially regarding slavery.

• The North and South had similar economies but different climates.

• Sectionalism was caused by foreign invasions.

• Sectionalism was due to disagreements over land boundaries.

Multiple Choice

By 1776, where did the majority of enslaved peoples of African descent live in the colonies, and why?

• In the southernmost colonies, due to the dominance of agriculture and large farms.

• In the northern colonies, due to industrial jobs.

• In the western territories, due to mining opportunities.

• Evenly distributed across all colonies.

Open Ended

Explain how the practice of enslavement developed in the United States and its connection to the transatlantic slave trade.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why the South relied more on agriculture than the North?

• The South had a more suitable climate and fertile soil for growing cash crops, while the North had more natural resources like minerals and timber.

• The North had better weather for farming.

• The South had more factories than the North.

• The North had more enslaved people than the South.

Multiple Choice

Describe the working conditions for enslaved people on farms and plantations in the Southern States.

• They worked short hours and were paid for their labor.

• They worked long, brutal hours without pay and faced frequent punishment.

• They could choose their work and were compensated fairly.

• They worked only during good weather and had days off.

Multiple Choice

How did the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney impact the demand for enslaved labor in the Southern States?

• It decreased the demand for enslaved labor.

• It had no effect on the demand for enslaved labor.

• It increased the demand for enslaved labor.

• It made enslaved labor unnecessary.

Open Ended

Why would the price of cotton drop so significantly after the cotton gin was invented?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following were reasons why the Southern economy became more reliant on enslaved labor after the invention of the cotton gin?

• Profits from cash crops depended on not paying for labor.

• Texas was heavily dependent on agriculture.

• Annexation aligned Texas with the southern U.S. politically and economically.

• All of the above.

Open Ended

What were some factors that limited the spread of slavery in Texas through at least 1836?

Multiple Choice

How did the Texas Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of Texas impact the institution of slavery in Texas?

• It abolished slavery in Texas.

• It created uncertainty about slavery's future.

• It strengthened and expanded slavery, protecting enslavers' rights.

• It limited the number of enslaved peoples.

Open Ended

Describe the growth of the enslaved population in Texas from 1836 to 1860 and explain one factor that contributed to this increase.

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements about the concentration of enslaved peoples in Texas is/are correct?

• Most enslaved people lived on plantations along the Brazos & Colorado Rivers.

• The wealthiest individuals in Texas were elite plantation owners.

• Slavery was equally distributed across all regions of Texas.

• Plantation owners held significant social and political power.

Open Ended

Why were plantations (and the practice of slavery) in Texas, largely concentrated in the Coastal Plains region?

Open Ended

How did sectionalism contribute to the division of the United States in the 1840s-1860s?