Assignment 22: Liberty Challenged In Nineteenth Century Amer

Assignment 22liberty Challenged In Nineteenth Century America Final

You have already developed a thesis statement and an outline in which you explored the peculiar institution known as slavery. Now you will develop the final paper in which you explore your main points in detail. Introduce your paper with your previously crafted thesis statement. Describe two (2) outcomes of the 3/5ths Compromise, Missouri Compromise of 1820, Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott Decision. Note: Be sure to provide two (2) outcomes for each legislation.

Suggest three (3) reasons why slavery was, and is, incompatible with our political and economic system. List three to five (3-5) driving forces that led to the Civil War. Use at least three (3) academic references besides or in addition to the textbook. Note: Wikipedia and other similar websites do not qualify as academic resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: This course requires use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS).

The format is different than other Strayer University courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Recognize the main factors that led to America’s early development. Identify and discuss the different ways that the heritages of slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction have shaped America's history. Summarize and discuss the ways that formal policies of government have influenced the direction of historical and social development in the United States.

Examine how changes in social and economic conditions and technology can cause corresponding changes in the attitudes of the people and policies of the government. Specify ways that women and minorities have responded to challenges and made contributions to American culture. Use technology and information resources to research issues in American History to 1865. Write clearly and concisely about American History to 1865 using proper writing mechanics.

Paper For Above instruction

The 19th century in America was a period marked by profound debates and pivotal events related to liberty, slavery, and national unity. Central to these discussions were legislative compromises and legal decisions that both reflected and shaped the evolving American identity. This paper will explore key outcomes of major legislative acts and judicial decisions, analyze reasons why slavery conflicted with American political and economic ideals, and identify driving forces that led to the Civil War.

Outcomes of Major Legislation and Judicial Decisions

The 3/5ths Compromise, enacted in 1787, was instrumental in determining the political representation of enslaved populations. One outcome was that it granted Southern states increased political power by counting a portion of their enslaved population for congressional representation, thus amplifying their influence in the House of Representatives. A second outcome was the further entrenchment of slavery as a political issue, because this compromise acknowledged enslaved people's partial personhood to appease debates while postponing a definitive resolution on slavery's morality or legality.

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 temporarily resolved sectional tensions by establishing a geographic boundary (36°30' line) that separated free and slave territories. An outcome was the restriction of slavery's expansion into northern territories, which temporarily maintained a balance in political power. Another outcome was setting a precedent for Congressional intervention in slavery issues, which would recur in subsequent compromises and conflicts.

The Compromise of 1850 aimed to ease sectional tensions with a series of legislative acts. An outcome was the creation of the Fugitive Slave Act, which increased federal enforcement of slavecatching and intensified sectional animosity. A second outcome involved the admission of California as a free state, tipping the balance in favor of free states in the West, and signaling a shift toward opposition to slavery expansion.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise by allowing territories to choose their stance on slavery through popular sovereignty. An outcome was the increase in violent clashes, exemplified by "Bleeding Kansas," as pro- and anti-slavery forces clashed over territorial governance. Another was the political rise of the Republican Party, founded on opposition to the expansion of slavery.

The Dred Scott Decision (1857) declared that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be American citizens. An outcome was the nullification of efforts to limit slavery through territorial restrictions, as it affirmed that Congress lacked authority to ban slavery in the territories. A second outcome was escalating tensions between North and South, bringing the nation closer to Civil War, as this ruling undermined the idea of free states and reinforced the institution of slavery.

Reasons Why Slavery Was and Is Incompatible with American Systems

First, slavery fundamentally contradicts the core American principle of equality, as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that all men are created equal. Enslaving individuals based on race undermines this value and perpetuates discrimination.

Second, slavery hampers economic development by restricting the free labor system necessary for innovation and industrialization. It created a system dependent on coerced labor rather than incentivized productivity, which ultimately limited economic flexibility and growth.

Third, slavery is incompatible with the political ideals of liberty and democratic governance. The institution of slavery denied enslaved people basic human rights and freedoms, contradicting the government’s foundational ideals of justice and individual rights.

Driving Forces Leading to the Civil War

One significant driving force was economic divergence between the North and South, with the North emphasizing industrialization and free labor, while the South remained agriculturally based and reliant on slave labor. This divergence created conflicting economic interests and social structures.

Another factor was the ideological clash over the morality of slavery, with abolitionist movements gaining momentum in the North and pro-slavery sentiments persisting in the South. This moral divide deepened sectional tensions and polarized political discourse.

A third force was territorial expansion, especially with the acquisition of new lands through the Mexican-American War, which intensified disputes over whether new territories would permit slavery, fueling conflict and negotiation failures.

A fourth factor was the failure of political compromise efforts, such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the breakdown of the Whig Party, which left the nation without effective means to address sectional differences peacefully.

Finally, the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, representing a platform opposed to the expansion of slavery, served as a trigger for secession by Southern states, making it a defining moment that led directly to Civil War.

Conclusion

The interplay of legislative compromises and judicial rulings in the 19th century significantly shaped American history. The outcomes of these laws and decisions, coupled with ideological and economic adversities, fueled tensions that culminated in the Civil War. Slavery’s incompatibility with American foundational principles and the driving forces behind sectional conflict underscore the profound struggle for liberty and equality that defined this era. Understanding these historical developments provides essential insight into the enduring legacy of these pivotal events and their influence on modern America.

References

• Foner, E. (2015). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W.W. Norton & Company.
• McPherson, J. M. (2012). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Gutman, H. G. (1976). Power and Plenty: Trade, War, and the World Economy in the Second Millennium. Free Press.
• Wilentz, S. (2005). The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln. W.W. Norton & Company.
• McCluskey, E. (2003). Slavery and the Making of America. Edinburg Press.
• Gordon-Reed, A. (2015). The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Nash, G. B. (2014). Freedom by Degrees: Emancipation in American Culture and Law. University of North Carolina Press.
• Chernow, R. (2010). Grant. Penguin Books.
• Finkelman, P. (2012). Slavery and the Founders: Race and Liberty in the Age of Jefferson. M.E. Sharpe.
• Harkness, D. J. (2000). Slavery and Its Consequences. Greenwood Press.