Name
Free state or territory
Slavs stale or tercitory
Openedtoslavery by prinduisr w j
Openedtoslavery by
THE
principle of popular
KAMSA5-ME«RASKA A C T OF 1 8 5 4
Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act on May 30, 1854. The Act repealed the Missouri Compromise
(which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30') and allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska
to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. The Act angered many in the North
who considered the Missouri Compromise to be a binding agreement. In the pro-slavery South, however, it was
strongly supported. After the Act passed, both pro and anti-slavery supporters rushed to Kansas to affect the
outcome of the vote on slavery. Violence erupted, earning Kansas the nickname "bleeding Kansas."
Directions: Use your textbook to color and label the map, then answer the analysis questions.
1. How many slave states were there in 1854?
Free states?
2. Why did the Missouri Compromise need to be repealed for this new law?
3. Which group of Americans preferred the Missouri Compromise and why?
4. What is Popular Sovereignty?
5. Why did Northerners and Southerners go to Kansas after this Act was passed?
6. When Northern abolitionists looked at a map of America in 1854, what might have concerned them?
7. When Southern slaveholders looked at the map, what would have caused them concern?
8. Senator Stephen Douglas said the main idea behind the Kansas-Nebraska Act was popular
sovereignty, "the great principle of self-government." Whose voices were absent in the decision over
whether or not to permit slavery in the territories and why were they ignored?
9. Stephen Douglas predicted that the Kansas-Nebraska Act would "impart peace to the country &
stability to the Union." Was he correct? Explain why or why not.
10. Abraham Lincoln said, "I particularly object to ... this Nebraska law because it assumes that there
CAN be MORAL RIGHT in the enslaving of one man by another." Do you agree with him that even if
people vote in favor of an issue, it can be deemed immoral and illegal by the govemment? Can you
think of another issue where this might be the case? Explain.
© Students of History - http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Students-Qf-Historv/