OPTIONAL GRADED ASSINGMENT Seeing If Anyone Knows it Thanks
A.P. U.S. History
Ch 18- Sectional Struggle 1848-1854 (OGA)


1. Why did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Wilmot-Proviso bring the issue of slavery back into the spotlight?




2. Politically, how did the political parties (Whigs and Democrats) want to deal with Slavery? Why?




3. What is the concept of Popular Sovereignty? (Important - This is what the Civil War was fought over!)




4. Briefly describe the Election of 1848. (Parties, nominees, platforms, slavery issues, winner, etc….)





5. Who formed the Free-Soil party? What was the main premise of their party? What issues did they support? How did they affect the outcome of the election?




6. How did the discovery of Gold at Sutter’s Mill (Colema), California dictate the future of the California territory? Use the map on page 418 and identify which river gold was discovered on.




7. Although very few struck it rich in California, the gold rush would have a major impact on the sectional differences between the North and the South in America. Briefly discuss the impact that California statehood had on mid-19th century politics and include a discussion of the Compromise of 1850. (You may have to read ahead a bit to find all of the components to this answer.)








8. What was the Underground Railroad and who was Harriet Tubman? How effective was the railroad? How did the Underground Railroad factor into the Compromise of 1850?








Henry Clay John C. Calhoun Daniel Webster








9. Briefly describe each of the following Southern Senators, their political ideas, and their influence.

10. Discuss William Seward and his Northern views on Slavery and his rise to popularity.




11. How did Zachary Taylor unexpectedly help the two opposing sides calm tensions? Who took over for him?


12. Why did the South agree to the Compromise of 1850 if it seemed so one sided in favor of the North?




13. Describe the Presidential Election of 1852 and the ultimate end of the Whig Party. (Candidates, platforms, major issues, winner, etc…)





14. Who was William Walker and how did attempt to spread the influence of slavery?



15. Briefly discuss American involvement in the following regions.

a. Nicaragua: (See map on 429)

b. Asia:

c. Cuba: (Ostend Manifesto)


16. What obstacles did those in favor of a pre-Civil War Transcontinental Railroad face? What was the Gadsden Purchase and how did it influence discussion on the Railroad?





17. Who was Stephen Douglas and what was his plan for the territory of Nebraska? What motivated this plan and what were the obstacles standing it its way? (Map 416)





18. What was the eventually outcome of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and how did it effect the political parties in America?