Slavery and Sectionalism: The Compromises That Divided America (1820–1854)
During the nineteenth century, the United States became increasingly divided over the expansion of slavery into western territories. As the nation expanded, Congress attempted to resolve disagreements between Northern and Southern states through legislation such as the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.
Examine the two primary-source documents: the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. Both documents address the expansion of slavery into western territories.
Compare the two documents and consider the following questions:
- How did the Missouri Compromise attempt to limit the expansion of slavery?
- How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act change the federal government’s approach to slavery in western territories?
- What similarities and differences existed between the two pieces of legislation?
- How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act contribute to growing tensions between the North and South?
To the extent possible under law, Peter Huber has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to “Slavery and Sectionalism: The Compromises That Divided America (1820–1854)”
