Slavery in the United States and Fugitive Slave
Document A: Compromise of 1850 Map
A map like this gives you all kinds of openings for outside information. Think about prior Constitutional crises prior to 1850 (like the Missouri Compromise situation) and how this legislation changed that. The notion of popular sovereignty, of course, is a great one for thinking about Constitutional principles related to people having a “voice” in their government.
Document B: Words from an anonymous Georgian to the “north”
This guy is voicing the classic Southern position on the relationship between the States and the Union (which he, of course, envisions as a Confederation where states have the greater authority). The fact that slavery has been allowed to exist (as a state decision) seems to further validate his view, as does the enactment of Fugitive Slave Laws by the Federal Government with the recognition of the “right” of people to practice slavery and to have their “property” protected.
Document C: A Handbill from Boston warning Blacks concerning slave-catchers
Note the date on the Handbill (1851). Again, this gives you a great opportunity to bring in
3 of 8 1/23/14 2:41 PM
The 1850s: Prelude to Civil War (1987 DBQ) | BRFHS: PS Rykken http://www.brf.org/rykken/2014/01/02/the-1850s-prelude-to-civ...
outside information about the Compromise of 1850. Remember that one of the provisions strengthened the Fugitive Slave Law. This handbill is typical of what one might have seen throughout the North during this period — certainly true in Wisconsin which had some Underground RR connections.
Document D: Emerson talking about the Fugitive Slave Law This is really a great document for illustrating the moral position on the Fugitive Slave Act. And just think who and what you can connect Emerson to here? (Think Walden Pond and a particular religious revival as well!). Also, note his reference to the stoppage of the Slave Trade in 1807 (remember that provision that was decided at the Constitutional Convention regarding the
A map like this gives you all kinds of openings for outside information. Think about prior Constitutional crises prior to 1850 (like the Missouri Compromise situation) and how this legislation changed that. The notion of popular sovereignty, of course, is a great one for thinking about Constitutional principles related to people having a “voice” in their government.
Document B: Words from an anonymous Georgian to the “north”
This guy is voicing the classic Southern position on the relationship between the States and the Union (which he, of course, envisions as a Confederation where states have the greater authority). The fact that slavery has been allowed to exist (as a state decision) seems to further validate his view, as does the enactment of Fugitive Slave Laws by the Federal Government with the recognition of the “right” of people to practice slavery and to have their “property” protected.
Document C: A Handbill from Boston warning Blacks concerning slave-catchers
Note the date on the Handbill (1851). Again, this gives you a great opportunity to bring in
3 of 8 1/23/14 2:41 PM
The 1850s: Prelude to Civil War (1987 DBQ) | BRFHS: PS Rykken http://www.brf.org/rykken/2014/01/02/the-1850s-prelude-to-civ...
outside information about the Compromise of 1850. Remember that one of the provisions strengthened the Fugitive Slave Law. This handbill is typical of what one might have seen throughout the North during this period — certainly true in Wisconsin which had some Underground RR connections.
Document D: Emerson talking about the Fugitive Slave Law This is really a great document for illustrating the moral position on the Fugitive Slave Act. And just think who and what you can connect Emerson to here? (Think Walden Pond and a particular religious revival as well!). Also, note his reference to the stoppage of the Slave Trade in 1807 (remember that provision that was decided at the Constitutional Convention regarding the