What is popular sovereignty, and how did the Kansas-Nebraska Act utilize it?

Popular sovereignty is the idea that people living in a territory should decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery. The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed the residents of Kansas and Nebraska to decide the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty.

Explain how the events of 'Bleeding Kansas' demonstrated the failure of popular sovereignty as a means to resolve the slavery issue.

In 'Bleeding Kansas,' violence erupted between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions as they fought for control of the territory's legislature. Fraudulent voting by Missourians further exacerbated the conflict, leading to two rival legislatures. This demonstrated that popular sovereignty could lead to violence and division rather than a peaceful resolution.

What were the main points of the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision, and how did this decision intensify the conflict over slavery?

The Dred Scott decision stated that slaves were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court, and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories because slaves were considered property. This intensified the conflict by opening all territories to slavery and denying Congress the power to regulate it.

How did the issue of slavery contribute to the weakening of the Whig and Democratic parties, and the rise of the Republican Party?

The Whig Party split into pro-slavery (Cotton Whigs) and anti-slavery (Conscience Whigs) factions due to disagreements over slavery. The Democratic Party became increasingly pro-slavery and regional. The Republican Party emerged as a coalition of anti-slavery groups, including former Whigs, abolitionists, and Free-Soilers, united in their opposition to the expansion of slavery.

Which of the following best describes the Republican Party's stance on slavery in the 1850s?

They opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.

What Caused The Civil War? Lesson Plan for Grade 11

Lesson Preview

Learning Objective

I can analyze the major causes of the Civil War.

1
According to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, the territories of Kansas and Nebraska would decide whether to allow slavery based on popular sovereignty, which meant the people living in those territories would decide for themselves.
2
The Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision stated that enslaved people were not citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal court, and also that slave owners could take their "property" into any territory or state.
3
The Whig party became divided between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, while the Republican party was created in 1854, uniting groups who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.

What Caused the Civil War?

Lesson Preview

Learning Objective

Warm-Up Video

Key Concepts

Practice Questions

Exit Ticket

Related Lessons

Women in the Civil War

Civil War Technology

Analyzing Battle Strategies

Related Lessons

Women in the Civil War

Civil War Technology

Analyzing Battle Strategies

New to Insta~Lesson?

About Insta~Lesson

How Insta~Lesson Helps Teachers Plan

How Insta~Lesson Supports Instruction Schoolwide