Alright, AP gang. hopefully you recovered sufficiently from your Pity Party and Tryptophan Hangover to work this week! Below are the Ch. 18 Think & Share Questions assigned today:
1. How did the California Gold Rush result in inflaming strong sectional disputes? - Phillip
2. Explain how the issue of slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico disrupted American politics from 1848 to1850. – Jini C.
3. Who supported and who opposed the Compromise of 1850, what were its main provisions, and how did it pass? - Derek
4. Point out the major terms of the Compromise of 1850 and indicate how the Compromise of 1850 attempted to defuse the sectional crisis over slavery. - Aby
5. Explain why the Fugitive Slave Law included in the Compromise of 1850 stirred moral outrage and fueled antislavery agitation in the North. - Andrea
6. Why did the North so strongly resent the Fugitive Slave Law and why did the South resent northern resistance to enforcing it? - Ashley
7. Did the North, South, or West benefit most from the Compromise of 1850? Why? - Miranda
8. Indicate how the Whig party’s disintegration over slavery signaled the end of nonsectional political parties. – Summer, India
9. Describe how the Pierce administration, as well as private American adventurers, pursued numerous overseas and expansionist ventures primarily designed to expand slavery. - Kyle
10. What foreign policy agreements were made with regard to Latin America and Asia? - Dhara
11. Describe Americans’ first ventures into China and Japan in the 1850s and their diplomatic, economic, cultural, and religious consequences. - Damaris
12. Describe the nature and purpose of Douglas’s Kansas-Nebraska Act, and explain why it fiercely rekindled the slavery controversy that the Compromise of 1850 had been designed to settle. - Taylor
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11. Describe Americans’ first ventures into China and Japan in the 1850s and their diplomatic, economic, cultural, and religious consequences.
After Britain had established certain relationships with China, Boston merchants feared that Britain was going to get a little "too friendly" with China's lucrative relationship with America. Caleb Cushing was sent to China to secure a better relationship, or treaty. Chinese diplomats signed the Treaty of Wanghia. The treaty established a stronger trading industry and the right for Americans that were accused of something in China to be charged in front of American courts rather than Chinese.
Japan had completely isolated itself from the rest of the world, around the time when Jamestown was established in the states. Their isolation lasted more than two centuries. Thus, when the West was exploding with new ideas and the industrial revolution, Japan remained quarantined and unaware of what the west was discovering. In 1852, President Millard Fillmore sent a fleet of warships, directed under Commodore Perry, to Japan. The Japanese villagers were shocked at the sight of the massive black ships that had invaded their world. Perry produced silk-bound letters requesting free trade and friendly relations, after threatening to blast his way into the Edo harbor. Perry said he would return in one year to receive Japan's answer. True to his word, Perry returned in February, 1854 and convinced the japanese to sign the landmark Treaty of Kanagawa on March 31st, 1854.
The effects of creating relationships with the far east were great. American had now aligned itself with the western powers (Britain) and China. The two had a platonic relationship. All of these would one day create a bitter resentment between them.
Despite a simple act, Perry had managed to break down the walls of isolation and the "Meiji Restoration" would end the era of the Shogunate and thrust Japan into the modern world. But of course, Japan would never forget the violent threats received from Commodore Perry despite his claims of friendship. This would lead to a military clash much later.
5. Explain why the Fugitive Slave Law included in the Compromise of 1850 stirred moral outrage and fueled antislavery agitation in the North.
The Fugitive Slave Law stated that slaves that have fled from their masters could not testify in their own behalf, and would also be denied a jury trial. Ultimately, refugee slaves were forced to return to slavery. Many free blacks were forced into slavery by slave-catchers, even if they had documentation and witnesses to prove their freedom. This provoked even more outrage because it threatened to create a dangerous situation for the white northerners. If caught, free northerners who aided slaves to escape were liable to fines and jail sentences, and some were even forced to join the slave-catchers.
8. Indicate how the Whig party’s disintegration over slavery signaled the end of nonsectional political parties.
In the election of 1852, the candidates views on the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Law were the deciding factor of how the people voted. Democrats nominated Franklin Pierce and chanted that "We Polked 'em in '44; we'll Pierce 'em '52." The Whigs nominated Winfield Scott, not because he was familiar with the Compromise of 1850, but because he was a war hero. The Whigs had only won two elections and they were both war heros, so Scott seemed like a good candidate, even though he didn't know much about the hugest issues in politics, but instead he put an end to the Whig party.
The southern Whigs and northern Whigs disagreed on the nominee they had chosen. The northern Whigs agreed with the candidate, Scott, but were against the Fugitive Slave Law that he approved of. On the other hand, the southern Whigs agreed with the Fugitive Slave Law but disliked the candidate. This caused a huge split in the Whig party and many Whigs turned their backs on Scott and he lost the election.
This was the last hope for the Whig party but there disagreement with the nominee caused their flame to finally be snuffed out. With the end of this disarrayed party, it brought up the idea of national parties and sectional political parties that would be more organized and united.
7. Did the North, South, or West benefit most from the Compromise of 1850? Why?
The north seemed to benefit the most from the Compromise of 1850. The north got California as a free state, which tipped the senate balance against the South. In order to restore balance the needed more slave territory, and they were not sure where they could get them.
So that left the south out in the cold, while they were trying to somehow regain back equality in the senate. They also go the fugitive slave act, which put a damper on them even more.
Now with the North they were against slavery so this really did not affect them as much. This benefit also gave them time to prepare material and moral wise that provided, eventually, victory in the Civil war.
12. Describe the nature and purpose of Douglas’s Kansas-Nebraska Act, and explain why it fiercely rekindled the slavery controversy that the Compromise of 1850 had been designed to settle.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act wrecked two compromises: that of 1820 and that of 1850. Its purpose was to make slavery not positively established nor prohibited in any territory, but that it be settled over the broad American priciple by leaving the people of the territory to deal with the matter as a majority.
This Act brought the slavery issue up front and center. It brought a new party called the Republicans, thus splitting up the historic Democratic party.
In result, a "dreading" sectional rift had appeared.
4. Point out the major terms of the Compromise of 1850 and indicate how the Compromise of 1850 attempted to defuse the sectional crisis over slavery.
The Compromise of 1850 set out to keep the nation united. It dealt with five major issues. The first issue was California's admittance into the Union as a free state. Because of the Missouri Compromise, keeping slave states and free states equal, there were many disputes over this matter. As a result of the Compromise of 1850, Northern California entered the United States as a free state. Another slave issue the Compromise of 1850 had to deal with was Washington D.C.’s. As the nation’s capital, not only was it controversial that they allowed slavery, but the District of Columbia was home to the largest slave market in North America. The solution the Compromise came to was that people living in Washington D.C. could no longer buy or sell slaves, but could continue "using" slaves they already owned.
Two other issues the Compromise dealt with were New Mexico and Utah's territories being allowed to use "popular sovereignty" and Texas land disputes. Texas claimed that its territory extended all the way to Santé Fe. This was settled with Mexico, resulting in Texas giving up that land, but receiving ten million dollars.
The Fugitive Slave Act was the last part of the Compromise of 1850. It brought much controversy to the states. Fleeing slaves could not testify in their own behalf, they were denied a jury trial. This act made it hard for slaves to build lives in the North, and many fled to Canada. The Underground Railroad became even more active, reaching it's peak between 1850 and 1860.
10. What foreign policy agreements were made with regard to Latin America and Asia?
Many treaties were formed and signed for various reasons and compromises between Latin America and the United States and Asia and the United States.
One of the treaties that were signed was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Tis treaty guaranteed America the right of transit across the isthmus in return for Washington's pledge to maintain the "perfect neutralitiy" of the route so that the "free transit traffic might not be interrupted." This treaty also led to the constrution of "transcontinental railroad." the railroad was finished in 1855. it ran forty-eight miles coast to coast through the Panamian Jungle.
Another one was the Treaty of Wanghia. It was passed on July 3, 1844. It was the first treaty between China and the United States. The treaty was established by Caleb Cushing. The United States gave China the title of "Most Favored Naition" as sort of a way to suck up. As the result of giving them this title to gain tradeing terms and other powers. As a result of this treaty, trading flourished between China and the United States.
The treaty of Kanagawa on March 31, 1834. This treaty was established by Matthew C. Perry. This treaty served as justice for shipwrecked soldiers. They would recieve proper treatment for those soldiers who were injued in ships. This treaty also provided American coaling rights in Japan. Lastly, it helped to establish consular relations between the two countires.
Many foreign policies agreements were put in tact to help North America form stonger bonds with other continents. Of the many continents they formed treaties with Latin America and Asia. These treaties helped form stong bonds and bring them closer.
2. Explain how the issue of slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico disrupted American politics from 1848 to1850. – Jini C.
During this time people in the slave states believed that they were going to be outnumbered by the free states if America acquired land from Mexico. After feeling threatened by this the slave states decided to take matters into their own hands creating a number of problems for American politics during 1848 to 1850. The reasons for the issues of slavery becoming such a disruption are easy to see. After looking at the laws and acts that were placed by our government around this time period you can see that all the government wanted to do was keep the nation as one. The government felt as though they needed to make the issue of slavery in the new territories a big deal in order to show both the North and the South that they saw and respected both sides point of view. Although in doing this it began to pull the government down forcing them to become completely consumed in pleasing both sides, stating things such as popular sovereignty but also laying down laws such as the fugitive slave act.
8. Indicate how the Whig party’s disintegration over slavery signaled the end of nonsectional political parties
The Whig party could not agree on who to nominate. This is because Northern Whigs wanted to nominate Winfield Scott because he was a war hero (the only 2 elections won by Whig party were war heroes) and because he was against the fugitive slave act. The southern Whigs however, were obviously for the Fugitive slave act, and they wanted someone who would support their ideas. This is where Webster came into play, as he was a supporter of the Fugitive Slave Act.
These actions lead to the disintegration of the Whig party, and later the Republican party formed, becoming one of the most popular parties along with the Democrats.
This seems to be a really interesting class.
Love you all!
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