Sectionalism Part II

• Why did a transcontinental railroad become necessary in the US?

  A better means of connecting the East and West coast was necessary.
• How were Northerners and Southerners divided over the issue of its construction?

  Northerners wanted it to start in the North; Southerners wanted it to start in the South.
• Why would constructing a southern route be problematic?

  It would ave to go around the Rocky Mountains and into territory owned by Mexico.
• What was done to solve this issue?

  U.S. negotiated to purchase the land from Mexico. James Gadsden was the U.S. minister to Mexico and did the negotiating.
• What were the terms of the Gadsden Purchase?

  The U.S. paid $10 million for the 30,000 square miles of land. Contiguous U.S. is completed. That strip of land is present-day Arizona / New Mexico.
• Who proposed the idea for the northern railroad? Where would it start?

  Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas wanted the northern railroad to start in Chicago.
• What was the major obstacle to constructing the northern route?

  The Kansas and Nebraska territories needed to be organized.
• Why did Southerners oppose the organization of the Kansas and Nebraska territories?

  They wanted the territory to be slave states and the Missouri Compromise to be repealed.
• What did the Kansas-Nebraska Act state? What did it mean for the Missouri Compromise?

  The act would've officially organized the territory, and allowed popular sovereignty to determine slavery issues. Due to this, the Missouri Compromise is repealed.
• How did Kansas apply for statehood?

  As a slave state.
• What resulted in Kansas? What were the two groups referred to as?

  Territorial war between pro and anti-slavery groups. Anti-slavery groups were known as Jayhawks, and pro-slavery groups were known as Border Ruffians.
• Who led the anti-slavery group in Kansas?

  John Brown lead the anti-slavery group.
• What was the aftermath of the territorial war in Kansas? What is it referred to as?

  Over 200 people dead and $2 million in property was destroyed. It was known as "Bleeding Kansas."
• How was Bleeding Kansas a preview of future national events?


  It was a preview of the Civil War.
• Who was Dred Scott? Why did he go before the Supreme Court? What was the case known as?

  He was a slave who attempted to sue for his freedom as he was brought into free territory and the case went to the Supreme Court via the court of appeals. The case was known as "Scott v. Sandford."
• Who was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? Why might he be biased?

  Chief Justice was Roger Taney (a slave owner).
• What was the ruling of the Supreme Court case of Scott v. Sandford?

  Chief Justice Roger Taney ruled that African Americans are not citizens, and they cannot sue in federal court as a result.
• How did the two political parties in the country react to the ruling of Scott v. Sandford?

  Their reactions were:

  • Southerners were thrilled (Democrats)
  • Northerners felt it was a binding decision not based on law (Republicans)
  • Sectional conflict then intensified
  • The worst decision ever rendered by the Supreme Court according to historians.