US History 1 Chapter 10 Quiz

The Fugitive Slave Act, passed in 1850, was a law that required escaped slaves to be returned to their owners, even if they had reached free states. This act heavily favored the interests and activities of slave owners, as it strengthened their ability to recover their escaped slaves and maintain their ownership and control over them. The act was highly controversial and opposed by abolitionists and those in the North who were against slavery, as it undermined the rights and freedom of escaped slaves.

The correct answer is "had no rights." The Dred Scott decision, made by the Court, stated that African Americans had no rights. This ruling denied African Americans the rights and protections afforded to white citizens, reinforcing the idea of their inferior status and perpetuating racial discrimination. This decision played a significant role in fueling tensions between the North and South prior to the Civil War and was later overturned by the passage of the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to African Americans.

Lincoln's election in 1860 was a major catalyst for secession. His victory as a Republican candidate, who was against the expansion of slavery, caused significant concern among southern states that relied heavily on slavery for their economy and way of life. They feared that Lincoln's presidency would lead to the abolition of slavery, threatening their power and control over their own states. As a result, several southern states, starting with South Carolina, seceded from the Union, leading to the formation of the Confederacy and ultimately the American Civil War.

The Know-Nothing Party emerged as a new political party during this time. This party was also known as the American Party and was formed in the mid-19th century. It was characterized by its anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiments. The party gained popularity due to the increasing nativist sentiment in the United States, particularly in response to the influx of Irish and German immigrants. The Know-Nothing Party aimed to restrict immigration and limit the political influence of Catholics. However, it declined in the late 1850s and eventually dissolved due to internal divisions and the onset of the Civil War.

Stephen Douglas successfully re-presented the failed Compromise of 1850. The Compromise of 1850 was a series of legislative measures aimed at resolving the territorial and slavery disputes between the North and the South. It included provisions such as the admission of California as a free state, the strengthening of the Fugitive Slave Act, and the organization of the Utah and New Mexico territories. Despite the initial failure of the compromise, Stephen Douglas, a senator from Illinois, played a crucial role in re-introducing and passing the compromise through skillful negotiation and political maneuvering.