Exam+1+Student+Questions

Do you have a question about the upcoming exam? Post it here! I will respond as soon as possible.

What were the main points of The Compromise of 1850?


 * Mr. Wood's Answer:** For our purposes, just know that the Compromise involved the fact that California would be a free state and that a strict Fugitive Slave Act would be in place that would require Northerners to return runaway slaves to their owners in the South. (There were some other aspects to this Compromise such as the outlawing of slavery in Washington DC and other topics, but we did not address these in class.) Southerns did not like the idea that another free state would be entering the union, so they mandated that the Fugitive Slave Act be passed. (Prior to this, there was a fugitive slave law on the books, but it was much weaker - not imposing penalties on those helping slaves escape once in the North, and it was rarely enforced.) As a side note, very few slaves were actually returned under the Fugitive Slave Act, however, the fact that Northerners were now responsible for enforcing slavery was something that most of them found appalling.

This is Deborah. The Compromise of 1850 is referring to 5 different bills that would hopefully settle the sectional dispute between the North and South. At the time there were different territories that were hoping to enter as states and this would alter the balance in power, thus these bills were issued in hope that it would solve some problems. The fiver bills are.. 1. New Mexico and Utah uses popular sovereignty to decide upon slavery. 3. Texas refines its borders and gives some land up to present day New Mexico and in return receives money to repay debts. 4. Columbia gets rid of slavery. 5. ***IMPORTANT! The Fugitive Slave Act. This is favorable for the South because this Act is basically saying that regardless of being on free soil, the slaves that escaped from the South should be captured and sent back to their owners. THIS IS CONTROVERSIAL --> leads to increase in northern abolition movements.**
 * 2. California enters as a free state** (California grows big enough to become a state because of the gold rush ;))


 * What were the events in early 1600s; July 4, 1776; 1775-1783; 1789 ?**

Mr. Wood's Answer:
 * Early 1600s - British Colonization in North America**
 * July 4, 1776 - Signing the Declaration of Independence**
 * 1775-1783 - Revolutionary War**
 * 1789 - Ratification of the US Constitution (officially became a nation)**

Deborah: This question is referring to the structure of the US government (constitutional system) and how it helps maintain fairness through checks and balances. Its important to understand that the government consists of three branches, legislative (make law), executive (carry out law), judicial (evaluate law). By having this kind of system, each branch 'checks' each other and makes sure of each other power. Like the study guide says, check out this website: [] This will help you understand that the division in power allowed different branches of the constitution to challenge any mis-use of power in other branches. If this comes up in the test, I advise you think and write about the importance/significance it has.
 * How does the government check each other?**

Deborah: Yes, they gained Independence and the Articles of Confederation was created to form a national government.
 * What were the results of the American Revolution? they became free from the British?**

Deborah: []
 * I dont understand the question: How is the constitution a living document? How can a document written primarily for a small, rural population apply to a large, mostly urban society?**

Deborah: I think it might be important to know that S.Carolina was the first to secede from the Union because they were kinda fed up with the Northerners gaining more power and implying taxes on them. As soon as Lincoln was elected president in 1860, S.Carolina is the first to secede, and then (I think 7?check this part out) Southern states secede following this. But I think the more important part is to know that this act of the Southern states seceding goes against the laws because the compromise of 1850 pretty much prevents states from seceding and declaring war. (They have no right!) So this is the reason why the Civil War was fought! :) [check out the antebellum roundtable keynote about the compromise of 1850]
 * Do we have to know any specific states that seceded from the union?****