Timeline Project After Reviewing Unit VII Materials ✓ Solved

Timeline Project After reviewing the Unit VII materials

For this assignment, you will pick one of the events identified on the timeline and discuss how that event prompted a change in national philosophies or ideals. In addition to discussing a specific event from the timeline, you will also want to take into consideration how the nation's views had evolved to the point of the event you choose.

Step 1: Choose an event. Choose an event from the timeline above that interests you the most. Your research will surround this event, so it is important to think about what you want to learn more about.

Step 2: Conduct research. Conduct research around the event you chose. For this assignment, you are required to utilize at least one source from the CSU Online Library. Your source can either revolve around the event you chose or it can focus on the philosophies and ideals before/after your event, whichever supports your writing more.

Step 3: Plan and reflect. Reflect on the change in American life before and after the event you chose. Once you have completed your research, you should sit back to think about what it means to see if you notice any trends and to have a better sense of what you want to convey in your writing.

Step 4: Write your assignment. Your final assignment should include a title page, a minimum of two pages of content, and a reference page.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Antebellum period leading up to the Civil War was marked by significant political and social changes in the United States. Among the pivotal events during this time was the Compromise of 1850, a legislative package that attempted to address the contentious issue of slavery and its expansion into new territories. This essay will explore the Compromise of 1850, examining how it reflected and prompted changes in national philosophies surrounding slavery and governance in America.

Background on the Compromise of 1850

The Compromise of 1850 was a series of five laws passed in September 1850 aimed at resolving the tensions that had arisen between slave and free states following the Mexican-American War. The major components of the Compromise included admitting California as a free state, creating Utah and New Mexico territories with the decision on slavery left to popular sovereignty, resolving a Texas boundary dispute, abolishing the slave trade in Washington D.C., and instituting a stricter Fugitive Slave Act (McPherson, 1990).

National Philosophies Preceding the Compromise

Leading up to the Compromise of 1850, the United States was a nation divided. The early 19th century saw the rise of both abolitionist movements in the North and pro-slavery sentiments in the South, each presenting starkly different philosophies regarding the institution of slavery. The Declaration of Independence's assertion that "all men are created equal" fostered a growing conflict between those who viewed slavery as a violation of this principle and those who considered it a fundamental aspect of their economy and societal structure (Davis, 1984).

Impact of the Compromise on National Ideals

While the Compromise of 1850 sought to quell sectional tensions, it ultimately exacerbated the divide, as it represented a national philosophy that prioritized political expediency over moral clarity. The introduction of the stricter Fugitive Slave Act was particularly controversial, as it required citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves and denied alleged fugitives the right to a jury trial (Finkelman, 2011). This law ignited outrage in the North and galvanized the abolitionist movement, leading to a more defined moral stance against slavery.

Shifts in Public Sentiment

The consequences of the Compromise were evident in the shifting public sentiment towards slavery and its implications. The callous nature of the Fugitive Slave Act, coupled with the experiences of runaway slaves like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, began to turn more Northerners against the institution of slavery. As people witnessed these injustices, the abolitionist movement gained momentum, shifting public opinion from passive acquiescence to active resistance.

Evolution of Political Philosophy

This period also saw the emergence of new political philosophies. The formation of the Republican Party in 1854, which was committed to preventing the expansion of slavery into the territories, signaled a major philosophical shift in American politics. Their platform embraced a moral stance against slavery, contrasting sharply with the Democratic Party, which was more accommodating to Southern interests (Gienapp, 1990).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Compromise of 1850 illustrated the tensions and evolving philosophies regarding slavery and governance in the United States. While initially intended to maintain peace, it highlighted the deep-seated divisions and foreshadowed more significant conflicts ahead, leading the nation toward the Civil War. The changes in national ideals that emerged from this legislative package played a critical role in shaping the ethos of a nation on the brink of transformation.

References

• Davis, A. Y. (1984). Women, Race, & Class. Knopf.
• Finkelman, P. (2011). Slavery in the Courtroom: An Annotated Bibliography of American Slavery. The University of North Carolina Press.
• Gienapp, J. R. (1990). Abraham Lincoln and the Coming of the Civil War. Oxford University Press.
• McPherson, J. M. (1990). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Holt, M. F. (1999). Forging a Majority: The Formation of the Republican Party, 1850-1860. The University of Chicago Press.
• McPherson, J. M. (2007). Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War Era. McGraw-Hill.
• Oakes, J. (1998). Slavery and Freedom: An Interpretation of the Old South. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Richardson, A. (2004). Abolitionists and the Politics of Slavery: The Republican Party. The University of Kansas Press.
• Roediger, D. R. (2005). Working Toward Whiteness: How America's Immigrants Became White. Basic Books.
• Wilentz, S. (2005). The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln. W. W. Norton & Company.