Unit IV
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Chapter 16 pp. 350 - 359
• What is meant by "Cotton is King?" How did
its sovereignty extend beyond the South?
What overall implications did its rule have?
• What were the major weaknesses of the
South's dependence on cotton?
• Why did the majority of Southern whites who
did not own slaves still support slavery?
• "...planters regarded slaves as investments
[like a mule]...." Explain what was positive
and what was negative about this situation for
slaves.
Chapter 16 pp. 359 - 368
• Give evidence to show that slaves developed a
separate, unique culture. What circumstances
made this possible?
• Describe the leaders of the early abolitionist
movement. Why weren’t their efforts more
successful?
• How were the attitudes of prominent abolitionist
leaders William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick
Douglass different from each other?
• How did the South typically defend itself
against the attacks made by Northern
abolitionists? Explain.
Chapter 18 pp. 390 - 401
• What were the advantages and
disadvantages of popular sovereignty?
• Why was the Free-Soil party formed? Was it
important? Explain.
• How did Daniel Webster and William Seward
contribute to the tension between North and
South in 1850?
• Define the Compromise of 1850. What key
factors led to its eventual acceptance? Which
side benefited more? The North or the South?
Chapter 18 pp. 401 - 408
• Why was the election of 1852 significant?
What about it ultimately caused the demise of
the Whig Party?
• Why were proslavery southerners so eager to
push for further expansion in Nicaragua,
Cuba and elsewhere in the 1850s?
• Explain the Ostend Manifesto and what
consequences it had.
• What were the major causes and
consequences of the Kansas-Nebraska Act?
Chapter 19 pp. 409 - 420
• Which book, Uncle Tom's Cabin or The
Impending Crisis of the South proved to be
more influential? Explain.
• Why did popular sovereignty fail so terribly in
Kansas?
• What effect did “Bleeding Kansas” ultimately
have on the Democratic Party?
• Why was the Dred Scott decision so divisive?
• How did the Panic of 1857 make the Civil War
more likely?
Chapter 19 pp. 420 - 431
• Discuss the Freeport Doctrine. What long
term results occurred because of the
Lincoln-Douglas debates?
• Why were the actions of John Brown so
important in the growing conflict between
North and South?
• Discuss the election of 1860. Why did its
outcome ultimately split the Union in two?
• What advantages did Southerners see in
secession? Who did they compare
themselves to?