Need help with this please--

28. Discuss how both the north and south defended their position on the question of secession by tracing the history of their arguments?

Thanks
-MC

It is an interesting arguement, it still goes on today: the power and authority of the Federal government vs state and individual. The tea party is making noise on this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States%27_rights

So, would this correctly answer it? :

The issue of slavery polarized the union, with the Jeffersonian principles often being used by both sides—anti-slavery Northerners, and Southern slaveholders and secessionists. Supporters of slavery often argued that one of the rights of the states was the protection of slave property wherever it went; In contrast, opponents of slavery argued that the non-slave-states' rights were violated both by that decision and by the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Southerners were inconsistent on the states' rights issue, and that Northern states tried to protect the rights of their states against the South during the Gag Rule and fugitive slave law controversies.

Thanks
-MC

Well, it boils down to what did the Constitution mean: Were all men endowed with inalienable rights or not? The N said yes, the S said the compromise counting slaves as 3/5 recognized something else. So the real argument was about citizenship, rights, slaves, and where States rights to assert authority ended.

The South called the Civil war the War of Secession (expressing their view that it was their right), and the North called the war the War of the Rebellion (expressing their view that the S had no right to secede )

To discuss how both the North and South defended their position on the question of secession, you can start by tracing the historical arguments made by each side. Here's how you can approach this topic:

1. Research the historical context: Begin by understanding the events leading up to the question of secession, such as the build-up of tensions between the North and South, the issue of slavery, and the disputes over states' rights.

2. Examine the North's arguments: The North primarily opposed secession and aimed to preserve the Union. Their primary arguments revolved around the idea that secession was unconstitutional and a threat to the stability and integrity of the nation. They believed that the United States was a perpetual union that derived its power from the people, as expressed in the preamble of the Constitution. Additionally, President Abraham Lincoln and his supporters argued that the Union should be preserved to maintain economic strength and ensure the abolition of slavery.

3. Explore the South's arguments: The South, on the other hand, defended secession as a right to protect their interests, including the preservation of slavery. Southerners argued that secession was a constitutional remedy to unjust federal laws and encroachments on states' rights. They claimed that the sovereignty of each state within the Union gave them the power to withdraw from it if they felt their rights were being violated. Additionally, the South maintained that their economy relied heavily on agriculture, specifically slave labor, which they believed would be threatened by the North's growing interests.

4. Consider historical documents and speeches: To understand the arguments made by both sides, examine primary sources such as the Declaration of Causes of Seceding States, which outlined their reasons for secession, or President Lincoln's speeches, like the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation.

5. Analyze the impact of these arguments: Lastly, discuss how these arguments influenced public opinion, political decisions, and the eventual outcome of the Civil War.

Remember, this approach involves thorough research and analysis of historical sources. It's important to use multiple sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the arguments presented by both the North and South during this critical time in American history.