Download United States History Your Compromises Period: ______ Name

United States History
Your Compromises
Period: ________ Name: ________________________________________________________
Issue #1: The Missouri Compromise
The year is 1820. The debate over statehood for Missouri is getting hotter day by day. To
complicate matters, Maine has just applied for admission to the union as well. Your job is
to find a way to settle this controversy that is acceptable to both the North and the South.
The North’s Starting Position:
 Supports statehood for Missouri and Maine as free states.
 Does not want slavery to expand into Louisiana Territory.
 Opposes any solution that makes more slave states than free states.
The South’s Starting Position:
 Supports statehood for Missouri as a slave state.
 Believes slaveholders have the right to settle in any new territory.
 Opposes any solution that makes more free states than slave states.
Your Compromise Should Address These Key Questions:
 Should Missouri be admitted to the union as a slave state, a free state, or not at all?
 What stand, if any, should Congress take on the spread of slavery across Louisiana
Territory?
 What should Congress do about Maine’s request for statehood?
Your Compromise:
What Really Happened (Textbook page 122):
Issue #2: The Compromise of 1850
It is 1850. Congress is in an uproar over California and slavery. You will need all your
skills as a compromiser to settle this conflict and keep the union from division.
The North’s Starting Position:
 Supports statehood for California as a free state.
 Wants to ban slavery in New Mexico and Utah territories.
 Demands an end to slavery and the slave trade in Washington, D.C.
 Opposes any fugitive (runaway) slave law that would endanger runaways.
The South’s Starting Position:
 Opposes letting free states gain a majority in the Senate; reluctant to allow California
admission to the union unless other territories are open to slavery.
 Believes slavery must be allowed to expand into Utah and New Mexico.
 Believes Congress has no power to meddle with slavery wherever it already exists.
 Demands a strong fugitive slave law to help track down runaways.
Your Compromise Should Address These Key Questions:
 Should California be admitted to the union as a free state?
 What stand, if any, should Congress take on the future of slavery in New Mexico and
Utah territories?
 What, if anything should be done about slavery in Washington, D.C.?
 Should Congress pass a strong new fugitive slave law?
Your Compromise:
What Really Happened (Textbook page 157):
Issue #3: The Dred Scott Case
The Supreme Court is considering the case of Dred Scott, a slave who is suing for his
freedom. Consider the arguments on each question in this difficult case. Then come up
with a decision you can all live with.
The North’s Starting Position:
 The Constitution does not limit citizenship to white people; African Americans have legal
rights.
 By taking Scott to free territory, his owner gave up his rights to treat Scott as a slave.
 Congress can make laws banning slavery in territories.
The South’s Starting Position:
 Scott was born a slave, not a citizen, and has no right to sue.
 Scott returned to Missouri with his owner as a slave and should continue to be treated as
a slave under Missouri law.
 Under the Constitution, Congress cannot make laws that deny people the use of their
property (including slaves) anywhere, including the territories.
Your Compromise Should Address These Key Questions:
 Is Scott a citizen with the right to sue in a federal court?
 Did Scott’s visit to a free territory with his “owner” make him a free man?
 Should Congress be able to ban slavery in the territories?
Your Ruling:
What Really Happened (Textbook page 162):
Issue #4: Secession
It is the end of 1860. Lincoln has just been elected president. The slave states are talking
about secession (leaving the union). Your job is to find some compromise on slavery that
will prevent civil war.
The North’s Starting Position:
 Slavery is immoral and must not be allowed to expand.
 Secession is illegal. Once a state, always a sate.
 The union must be preserved; we will fight to keep it together.
The South’s Starting Position:
 Slavery is moral and must be allowed to expand.
 The state comes into union by its own free choice and may secede whenever it chooses.
 The South and its way of life must be preserved; we will secede if our rights are
threatened.
Your Compromise Should Address These Key Questions:
 What should be done about slavery where it already exists?
 What should be done about slavery in the territories?
 What should be done about fugitive slaves?
 What should the federal government do if a state decides to secede?
Your Compromise:
What Really Happened (Textbook page 164):