APUSH PAGEANT
WORKSHEET CHAPTER 18
QUESTIONS
1. What were the advantages and disadvantages of popular sovereignty?
Popular sovereignty had many advantages such as: it accorded with the Democratic tradition of self-determination, was a comfortable compromise between the free soilers' bid for a ban on slavery in the territories and the southern demands that Congress protect slavery in the territories. Despite the many advantages, the one big defect it had was that it might serve to spread the blight of slavery.
2. In the election of 1848 the Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor instead of Henry Clay. Why?
In the election of 1848 the Whigs nominated Taylor instead of Clay because Clay had made many speeches and gained many enemies. Taylor was also a war hero, making it easier for the Whigs to gain a popular vote and sweep through the presidential elections.
3. Why was the Free-Soil Party formed? Explain its importance.
The Free-Soil Party was formed by anti-slavery men in the North, who distrusted Taylor and Cass, whose leader was former president Martin Van Buren. They were for the Wilmot Proviso, against slavery in the territories, advocated federal aid for internal improvements, and urged free government homesteads for settlers. The purpose of the party was not so much to help the slaves but more to help themselves by claiming that many white Americans would have to compete with slaves for labor and would not be able to rise up to flourish. By having Buren as their leader, they were able to help Taylor win the election by taking up 291,263 votes that were supposed to be for Cass.
4. Why did many rush to California in 1848? Did most of them find financial success? Explain.
Many rushed to California in 1848 because of the discovery of gold and majority of the people who went to California did not find the gold they searched for. There were a lucky few miners who struck gold and the ones who made the most profit were the ones who mined the miner, charging outrageous rates for laundry and other personal services. Not many found success, unless they were the ones who mined the miners.
5. Why did California become an issue as part of the slavery question?
California became in issue as part of the slavery question because when they asked to enter the Union in 1849, if they were to be admitted then they would break the balance that was held between the free and slave states. It also helped spark the debates of what to do over the slavery issue and how to maintain the balance so neither the North or the South would become upset and secede from the Union.
6. The text writes that the South was relatively well off in 1850. Why? Yet it was worried as well. Explain.
The South was relatively well off in 1850 because the current President, Taylor, was a Virginia born slave owning planter from Louisiana. The South was also able to boast about having a majority in the cabinet and on the Supreme Court, while also having their cotton fields expanding and being sold at a high price. Despite having an expansion in the cotton fields and making a big profit off of it, the South was worried about the balance of power tipping in favor of the North with California asking to join the Union making it 15 slave states to 16 free states. If more free states were admitted into the Union, then the South would lose its power to block certain bills in the Senate and would lose the "equality" of power that was between the South and North.
7. Why did the South demand a more stringent fugitive slave law?
The South demanded a more stringent fugitive slave law because the old one passed in 1793 proved to be inadequate to cope with runaways since state authorities failed to provide needed cooperation and the abolitionists who helped runaway slaves did it out of lawlessness, not as thieves. The loss of the slaves infuriated the slave owners because their "property" was not returned and they were losing labor for profit.
8. How did each of the following want to solve the crisis posed by California statehood?
• Clay- Clay proposed the Compromise of 1850, which was supported by Senator Stephen Douglas, and urged both the North and South to make concessions.
