His 113 Module 7 Quiz

The explanation for the answer "True" is that historically, the southern states of the United States had a strong reliance on slavery as an economic and social institution. This led to a powerful slaveholding minority that exerted significant control over the political landscape in the south. The institution of slavery shaped the southern economy, culture, and political system, with slaveholders holding a disproportionate amount of power and influence.

South Carolina seceding from the Union refers to the state's decision to withdraw from the United States of America in 1860. This act was a response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as president and the fear that his anti-slavery stance would threaten the institution of slavery in the South. South Carolina's secession was a significant event that ultimately led to the formation of the Confederate States of America and the outbreak of the American Civil War. Therefore, the statement that South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union is true.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act, passed in 1854, allowed the residents of these territories to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery through popular sovereignty. This means that the people living in the territories could vote on whether to allow or prohibit slavery. Therefore, the Kansas-Nebraska Act is indeed a good example of popular sovereignty, making the answer "True" correct.

The Republican Party was not a strong supporter of slavery in the south and all new US territories. In fact, the Republican Party was founded in 1854 with the goal of opposing the expansion of slavery into new territories. They believed in the principles of free labor and were against the institution of slavery. This eventually led to the election of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, who played a key role in the abolition of slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation. Therefore, the statement that the Republican Party was a strong supporter of slavery is false.

The Underground Railroad was actually a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped enslaved African Americans escape to free states and Canada. It operated in the 19th century and played a crucial role in assisting slaves seeking freedom. However, it directly contradicted and undermined the fugitive slave law, which required the capture and return of escaped slaves. Therefore, the statement that the Underground Railroad was integral in helping enforce the fugitive slave law is false.

The Dred Scott decision argued that in the eyes of the law, slaves were not human, but property. This decision was made by the Supreme Court in 1857 and had a significant impact on the issue of slavery in the United States. The court ruled that Scott, a slave, was not entitled to his freedom because slaves were considered property under the Constitution. This decision further deepened the divide between the North and the South and ultimately contributed to the tensions that led to the American Civil War.

The statement is false because the United States did not "barely" defeat Mexico in the Mexican-American War. In fact, the United States achieved a decisive victory over Mexico, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. This treaty granted the United States significant territorial gains, including the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Therefore, the United States' victory in the Mexican-American War was not a close or marginal one.

John Brown attacked the arsenal at Harpers Ferry with the intention of triggering a slave revolt. He believed that by seizing the weapons and distributing them to slaves, he could inspire them to rise up against their oppressors. Brown saw himself as a martyr for the abolitionist cause and hoped that his actions would ignite a larger rebellion against the institution of slavery. While his plan ultimately failed, his raid on Harpers Ferry became a significant event leading up to the American Civil War.

The correct answer is there was a split in the Democratic party. This is because the split in the Democratic party allowed Lincoln to win the election by dividing the Democratic vote. With the party divided between Northern and Southern Democrats, Lincoln was able to secure a majority of electoral votes and win the presidency. The split in the Democratic party weakened their overall support and made it easier for Lincoln to emerge as the victor in the election.

The correct answer is that the Compromise of 1850 was passed mostly by the efforts of Stephen Douglas. This is because Stephen Douglas, a senator from Illinois, played a crucial role in organizing and promoting the compromise. He was responsible for dividing the compromise into separate bills and pushing for their passage through Congress. His efforts were instrumental in securing the necessary votes and ultimately getting the compromise passed.