Question

Conflict over the institution of slavery was present in the United States from the time of the 2nd Continental Congress and the signing of the Declaration of Independence until the secession of the lower South in 1861. In a three to four page paper, discuss at least three instances when the conflict was evident, and the temporary political solution to that conflict. At what point do you believe the war became inevitable.

Your paper must have an introductory paragraph and a conclusion and be at least three pages long. If you use outside sources, they must be cited in APA format.

Answer 1

The conflict over slavery led to temporary solutions such as the Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, and Kansas-Nebraska Act. However, Abraham Lincoln's election and fear of slavery's abolition made war inevitable.

Step-by-step explanation:

Conflict and Compromise Over Slavery

The institution of slavery spurred numerous conflicts throughout American history, leading to various temporary political solutions. One such moment was the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which temporarily resolved the imbalance between slave and free states. The Compromise of 1850, another attempt, included the Fugitive Slave Act, appeasing Southern slaveholders, but also admitted California as a free state, which angered the South.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, introducing 'popular sovereignty', led to violent conflict known as 'Bleeding Kansas'. These solutions only temporarily eased tensions and by the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, with his anti-slavery platform, the path to the Civil War was set, as Southern states began to secede, fearing the abolition of slavery.

When War Became Inevitable

The war became inevitable when compromise failed to address the fundamental differences over slavery, and the election of Lincoln solidified southern fears, leading to secession and eventual armed conflict.