Quiz on Kansas-Nebraska Act and Dred Scott Decision

What was the main purpose of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854?

• To grant citizenship to all African Americans.

• To allow territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.

• To abolish slavery in all U.S. territories.

• To enforce the Missouri Compromise.

Answer explanation

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 aimed to allow territories to decide on the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise and increasing tensions over slavery in the U.S.

What was the result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in Kansas?

• Kansas became a free state immediately.

• Slavery was abolished in Kansas.

• Fighting broke out between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups.

• Kansas was divided into two separate states.

Answer explanation

The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed settlers to decide on slavery, leading to violent conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups, known as 'Bleeding Kansas'. This fighting was a direct result of the Act's implementation.

Who led some of the raids during the Bleeding Kansas conflict?

• Abraham Lincoln

• Frederick Douglass

• John Brown

• Harriet Tubman

Answer explanation

John Brown was a prominent abolitionist who led violent raids against pro-slavery forces during the Bleeding Kansas conflict, making him a key figure in this struggle over slavery in the territories.

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in Dred Scott v. Sanford?

• Dred Scott was granted his freedom.

• Enslaved people were considered a citizen.

• The Missouri Compromise was upheld.

• Enslaved people were considered property and could not sue.

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court ruled that enslaved people, like Dred Scott, were considered property and therefore could not sue in federal court, reinforcing the institution of slavery and denying citizenship rights.

What was a significant impact of the Dred Scott decision?

• It granted voting rights to African Americans.

• It declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

• It ended the Civil War.

• It led to the immediate abolition of slavery.

Answer explanation

The Dred Scott decision declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, stating that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in the territories, which intensified national tensions over slavery.

What was passed to maintain the balance of power between free and slave states, allowing Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state?

• Kansas-Nebraska Act

• Compromise of 1850

• Missouri Compromise

• Fugitive Slave Law

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise was enacted in 1820 to maintain the balance of power between free and slave states, allowing Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

What included measures such as admitting California as a free state and enacting a stricter Fugitive Slave Law?

• Kansas-Nebraska Act

• Compromise of 1850

• Missouri Compromise

• Dred Scott Decision

Answer explanation

The Compromise of 1850 included admitting California as a free state and implementing a stricter Fugitive Slave Law, addressing tensions between free and slave states.

Match the following laws and decisions with their impact on the nation.

• Angered Northerners and increased abolitionist sentiment

• Dred Scott Decision

• Maintained balance between free and slave states

• Kansas-Nebraska Act

• Allowed territories to decide on slavery, leading to violence

• Fugitive Slave Law

• Declared African Americans were not citizens

• Missouri Compromise

Which novel led to the growth of the abolitionist movement in the North?

• Common Sense

• Nature

• Defence of Fort McHenry

• Uncle Tom's Cabin

Answer explanation

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe was pivotal in raising awareness about the harsh realities of slavery, galvanizing the abolitionist movement in the North and influencing public opinion against slavery.

Label the Union and the Confederacy.

a

b

Union

Confederacy