In this short answer quiz, you will write about either the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 or the Kansas- Nebraska Act.
Item 1
Item 2
Choose one of these acts and complete the item below based on that act. You may use the "check answer" button two times to get feedback on this item.
(item 1)
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
allowed residents of western states to decide whether or not to allow slavery within their borders.
One major consequence of this act was that
violence and chaos increased in western territories as those with pro- and anti-slavery views rushed into these territories and fought for control This act represented a change to existing agreements in that it
overturned the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had already made rules for deciding which new states would allow slavery.
(item 2)
You will write about the same act you chose in Item 1. Imagine a U.S. citizen in 1850 named "Sally Stately." Sally believes that the individual states should always make their own laws on slavery, without interference from the federal government. Would you expect Sally to agree or disagree with this law? Why? Start your answer with "Sally should" and answer in 30 words or less.
(item 3)
You will write about the same act you chose in Item 1. Imagine a U.S. citizen in 1850 named "Frank Federalist." Frank believes that slavery goes against the founding principles of the United States, and that the federal government has a responsibility to limit the spread of slavery as much as possible. Would you expect Frank to agree or disagree with this law? Why? Start your answer with "Frank should" and answer in 30 words or less.
Sally should agree with this law because it allowed residents of western states to decide on slavery, supporting her belief in state autonomy in making laws on slavery.
Frank should disagree with this law because it allowed the spread of slavery, contradicting his belief that the federal government should limit its expansion based on the founding principles of the United States.