Interpreting the Constitution
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Graded Assignment Answer Key
Interpreting the Constitution
Use the following question as a basis for writing a clear essay outline on the constitutional issues that divided the nation in the years leading up to the Civil War.
Use both our knowledge of the time period and the information on pages 2 and 3 this document to help you organize your outline. You may use the secondary and primary sources below to help you answer the question.
(50 points)
1. What were the major issues that drove the nation to Civil War in 1861? Follow the format in the example below to write your outline.
I. Topic Sentence: First issue
a. Support or proof b. Support of proof
Essay Outline
I.
A.
B.
II.
A.
B.
III.
A.
B.
IV.
A.
B.
V.
A.
B.
Source A: Events Leading to Disunion
• 1820 - Missouri Compromise: The legislation prohibited slavery in the newly acquired Louisiana Territory above the 36°30’N latitude line, admitted Missouri to the Union as a slave state, and Maine as a free state in order to maintain the balance of slave and free states in the Senate.
• 1846 - Wilmot Proviso: Although the Wilmot Proviso banning slavery in territories acquired from Mexico did not become law, it did reignite a bitter debate over slavery after nearly thirty years without debate on the issue in Congress.
• 1850 - Compromise of 1850: Stephen Douglas helped achieve a compromise in 1850 that admitted California as a free state, provided popular sovereignty for two territories, passed the Fugitive Slave Act, provided compensation to Texas, and abolished the slave trade in Washington, D.C. What it didn’t do was achieve a permanent solution to the issue of slavery for
Graded Assignment Answer Key
Interpreting the Constitution
Use the following question as a basis for writing a clear essay outline on the constitutional issues that divided the nation in the years leading up to the Civil War.
Use both our knowledge of the time period and the information on pages 2 and 3 this document to help you organize your outline. You may use the secondary and primary sources below to help you answer the question.
(50 points)
1. What were the major issues that drove the nation to Civil War in 1861? Follow the format in the example below to write your outline.
I. Topic Sentence: First issue
a. Support or proof b. Support of proof
Essay Outline
I.
A.
B.
II.
A.
B.
III.
A.
B.
IV.
A.
B.
V.
A.
B.
Source A: Events Leading to Disunion
• 1820 - Missouri Compromise: The legislation prohibited slavery in the newly acquired Louisiana Territory above the 36°30’N latitude line, admitted Missouri to the Union as a slave state, and Maine as a free state in order to maintain the balance of slave and free states in the Senate.
• 1846 - Wilmot Proviso: Although the Wilmot Proviso banning slavery in territories acquired from Mexico did not become law, it did reignite a bitter debate over slavery after nearly thirty years without debate on the issue in Congress.
• 1850 - Compromise of 1850: Stephen Douglas helped achieve a compromise in 1850 that admitted California as a free state, provided popular sovereignty for two territories, passed the Fugitive Slave Act, provided compensation to Texas, and abolished the slave trade in Washington, D.C. What it didn’t do was achieve a permanent solution to the issue of slavery for