Chapter 18: Slavery and Sectional Tensions in America

How did the concept of popular sovereignty attempt to address the issue of slavery in new territories?

• By allowing Congress to decide the status of slavery in each new state

• By letting settlers in each territory vote on whether to allow slavery

• By banning slavery in all new territories

• By allowing only free states to be admitted to the Union

What was a major flaw in the application of popular sovereignty in the territories?

• It led to peaceful resolutions in all territories

• It failed to address the moral and political questions surrounding slavery

• It was universally accepted by both abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates

• It resulted in the immediate abolition of slavery

Why did the Free Soil Party oppose the expansion of slavery into the western territories?

• They believed it would improve economic opportunities for free white laborers

• They wanted to expand slavery to all territories

• They supported the immediate abolition of slavery

• They believed it would strengthen the Southern economy

What was the impact of the Compromise of 1850 on sectional tensions in the United States?

• It permanently resolved the issue of slavery

• It temporarily eased tensions but failed to address underlying issues

• It was universally accepted and praised by all states

• It led to the immediate secession of Southern states

How did Daniel Webster's "Seventh of March" speech influence the passage of the Compromise of 1850?

• It called for the immediate abolition of slavery

• It urged compromise to preserve the Union

• It demanded the expansion of slavery into all territories

• It had no impact on the Compromise of 1850

What was a significant consequence of the Fugitive Slave Law in the North?

• It was widely supported and enforced by Northerners

• It led to increased resistance and opposition to slavery

• It resulted in the immediate abolition of slavery in the North

• It had no impact on Northern attitudes towards slavery

What was a key factor in the collapse of the Whig Party?

• Its strong support for the expansion of slavery

• Internal divisions over the issue of slavery

• Its successful unification of Northern and Southern interests

• Its opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act

How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act contribute to increased sectional tension in the United States?

• By reinforcing the Missouri Compromise

• By introducing popular sovereignty, leading to violent conflicts

• By banning slavery in all new territories

• By resolving the issue of slavery peacefully

What was the primary purpose of the Gadsden Purchase?

• To acquire land for a northern transcontinental railroad

• To resolve border disputes with Canada

• To acquire land for a southern transcontinental railroad

• To expand the United States' territory into Central America

How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act impact the major political parties in the United States?

• It strengthened the Whig Party

• It led to the formation of the Republican Party

• It had no impact on political parties

• It unified the Democratic Party