source:  http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cwvm/exhibit1cw.htm

Exhibit Hall 1

In the days proceeding the outbreak of the Civil War President Abraham Lincoln said,"A house divided against itself can not stand." What did he mean by ," A house divided"?

In this exhibit you will have the opportunity to investigate some of the conflicts that were dividing the nation during the 1800's. These conflicts or divisions are called sectionalism. You will also investigate some of the compromises that were created in an effort to keep the "house from being divided against itself".

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ACTIVITY 1

Directions:

As you visit the sites listed below gather evidence that you find to support whether the majority of the people in the North, and the South, supported or opposed Slavery in the new Territories andThe Fugitive Slave Act. You can make a copy of the chart below by clicking on the chart.

ACTIVITY 2

After you have filled in the chart below respond in your journal to this quote by Abraham Lincoln: "A house divided against itself cannot stand, I believe this government can endure permanently half slave and half free."

• Does your evidence support Abraham Lincoln?
• Can the Union stay together, half slave and half free?
• Be sure to include the evidence that you have collected that supports your answer.

The Missouri Compromise of 1820.

How each state voted over the issue of Slavery and the Missouri Compromise

Compromise of 1850

Compromise of 1850

Crisis of 1850

Fugitive Slave Act

Fugitive Slave Act

 
 

To print a copy of this chart, click anywhere on the chart.

IN ACTIVITY 3 you will make two maps of the United States. The first map will show the The Missouri Compromise of 1820. The second map will show the Compromise of 1850. After you draw and label your maps you will look for the changes that occurred in relationship to slave and free states during this thirty year period.

1) Print two copies of this map.

2) Label the first map "The Missouri Compromise of 1820".

3) On your map fill in the names of the states that were part of the Union in 1820.

4) In 1820 Congress decided to create a line along a certain latitude that would divide the existing states and the existing territories in the West. The people who lived above the line could not own slaves. The people below the line could. Draw this line on your map.

5) Make a key and color each area on your map showing:

• the free states,
• the free territories,
• the slave states,
• slave territories that developed because of the Missouri Compromise.

7) On your map fill in the names of the states that were part of the Union in 1850.

8) When the United States gained new lands after the Mexican - American War, there was more disagreement over westward expansion and slavery. On your second map make a key and color each area to show:

• free states,
• free territories,
• slave states,
• slave territories,
• territories open to slavery by the Compromise of 1850,
• and states that were admitted as free by the Compromise of 1850.

9) After you have finished the two maps put them next to each other. In your journal write a paragraph about what you see happening between 1820 and 1850 in the United States.

10) In your journal respond to these questions:

a. What would happen if all of the new states were admitted as slave states?

b. What would happen if all of the new states were admitted as free states?