Explain whether slavery or representation was the main cause of disunion. You may incorporate two of the following to support your answer
-The Missouri Compromise
-The Free-Soil Movement
-Compromise of 1850
-Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854
-Bleeding Kansas
Dred Scott v. Sandford
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To understand whether slavery or representation was the main cause of disunion, we need to examine the events and legislation mentioned: the Missouri Compromise, the Free-Soil Movement, the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, Bleeding Kansas, and the Dred Scott v. Sandford case. By considering these, we can analyze the influence of slavery and representation in the lead-up to disunion.
1. The Missouri Compromise (1820): This legislation admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining a balance in Congress between slave and free states. It also established a geographic line at 36°30' N latitude, stating that all future states north of this line would be free, while those south of it could permit slavery. While the Missouri Compromise temporarily addressed the slavery issue, it intensified tensions between the North and South over representation and the expansion of slavery.
2. The Free-Soil Movement: The Free-Soil Movement emerged in the 1840s, primarily motivated by opposition to the expansion of slavery into new territories. Supporters of this movement believed that allowing slavery to expand would deprive free farmers and laborers of economic opportunities. The movement reflected Northern concerns about representation, as they feared that the political power of slave states would grow and negatively impact their interests.
3. Compromise of 1850: In an effort to settle ongoing disputes about the expansion of slavery, the Compromise of 1850 was enacted. It admitted California as a free state, abolished the slave trade in Washington, D.C., and allowed popular sovereignty to determine the status of slavery in the Utah and New Mexico territories. This compromise temporarily eased tensions, but it did not address the underlying issues related to slavery and representation.
4. Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854: The Kansas-Nebraska Act overturned the Missouri Compromise by allowing popular sovereignty in both Kansas and Nebraska territories. This essentially meant that settlers in these territories could decide whether to introduce slavery or not, regardless of the latitude. The Act sparked intense conflict as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers violently clashed in Kansas, leading to the term "Bleeding Kansas."
5. Bleeding Kansas: The violence and bloodshed that ensued after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act became known as "Bleeding Kansas." Pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions actively sought to influence the outcome of popular sovereignty by migrating to Kansas. The fighting underscored the deep divide between those supporting slavery and those opposing it, further fueling tensions that led to disunion.
6. Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857): This landmark Supreme Court case involved a slave named Dred Scott, who sued for his freedom in a free state where slavery was prohibited. The court's decision, rendered by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, declared that enslaved individuals were property and could not become citizens. The ruling also stated that Congress lacked the power to regulate slavery in the territories. This court decision heightened tensions between the North and South, as it effectively invalidated the Missouri Compromise and solidified the perception that the federal government was favoring slaveholders.
While both slavery and representation were factors contributing to disunion, the primary cause was ultimately slavery. The expansion of slavery into new territories and the fate of enslaved individuals were central issues that directly challenged the principles and values of those who opposed slavery. The events and legislation mentioned, such as the Missouri Compromise, the Free-Soil Movement, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Bleeding Kansas, and the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, all played significant roles in highlighting the contentious nature of slavery, which was the driving force behind the disunion of the United States.