DBQ Essay / Scaffolding

US Constitution / Sectionalism

Historical Context: From 1789 -1861

the US Government attempted to improve the union of states

and people through US Supreme Court actions and

compromises passed into law by the US Congress.

However, the national government was unable to

prevent the attempted secession by eleven southern

states, in a rebellion intended to create a new nation.

Created by Mr. Steve Hauprich for acceleration and remediation of US History students

•discuss the impact US Supreme Court decisions had on

relationships between the states under the Federal Government

Tasks:

•explain how Congressional Compromises (due to westward

expansion) attempted to reduce sectional tension between the

states of the North and South

•evaluate the effectiveness of the US Constitution in its role

of promoting national unity for the time period 1789 -1861

“We the People of the United States ,in Order to form a more perfect Union ,

establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare,

and to secure the Blessings of Liberty to us and our Posterity,do ordain and establish this Constitution

of the United States of America.”

Document 1 Preamble of the US Constitution

According to the “Preamble”, for what purpose was this

Constitution established ? _________________________

_________________________________________________

_______________________________________________(1)

“After the most deliberate consideration, it is the unanimous and decided opinion of this

Court, that the act to incorporate the Bank of the United States is a law made in

pursuance of the constitution, and is a part of the supreme law of the land. . . . “

…“We are unanimously of the opinion, that the law passed by the legislature of

Maryland, imposing a tax on the Bank of the United States, is unconstitutional

and void.”

Document 2 McCulloch vs. Maryland 1819

What was the decision of the US Supreme Court regarding

the State of Maryland’s attempt to tax the Bank of the

United States ? __________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________(1)

Document 3 Missouri Compromise 1820

Identify three (3) provisions of the Missouri Compromise.

________________________________________________(1)

________________________________________________(1)

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Document 4 Ogden vs. Gibbons Supreme Court Decision 1824

“This case involved the State of New Jersey versus the State of New York…

…There was talk of an interstate war. Indeed a clash of authorities had

taken place…The court rejected the authority of New York law that

hindered out-of-state commercial steamboats from doing business

in its waters. Justice Marshall’s opinion established national power over

interstate commerce, opening the way for easy trade between the states

and national economic growth.”

- Panza, Kenneth S. “Gibbons Vs. Ogden (1824)” Hudson River Maritime Museum January 2004

How did the Supreme Court’s decision affect interstate commerce?

___________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________ (1)

Document 5

Identify two (2) provisions of the Compromise of 1850 shown on this map.

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Document 6

How did the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act impact the potential spread of slavery

in US Territories north of 36*30’ North Latitude ?

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________________________________________________________________ (1)

“Upon these considerations, it is the opinion of the court that the Act of Congress [the

Missouri compromise] which prohibited a citizen from holding and owning property of

this kind in the territory of the United States north of the line therein mentioned, is not

warranted by the Constitution, and is therefore void; and that neither Dred Scott himself,

nor any of his family, were made free by being carried into this territory; even if they had

been carried there by the owner, with the intention of becoming a permanent resident…”

Document 7 Dred Scott vs. Sanford 1857

Identify two (2) results of the US Supreme Court decision

in the 1857 case of Dred Scott vs. Sanford.

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________________________________________________ (1)

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“Sectional interest and animosity will deepen the irritation, and all hope of remedy is

rendered vain, by the fact that public opinion at the North has invested a great political

error (electing Lincoln) with the sanctions of a more erroneous religious belief…”

“We, therefore, the People of South Carolina, by our delegates in Convention

assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our

intentions, have solemnly declared that the Union heretofore existing between this State

and the other States of North America, is dissolved, and that the State of South Carolina

has resumed her position among the nations of the world, as a separate and

independent State; with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances,

establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent States may

of right do.”

Document 8 South Carolina Declaration of Secession 1860

Identify a reason South Carolina declared its separation from

the United States of America according to this document.

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________(1)

Document 9

According to this map, what had eleven southern states done by the

end of the month of June in 1861 ?

___________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________ (1)

When writing your essay be sure to:

• answer all tasks completely / develop a thesis (point of view)

begin with an introductory paragraph containing a thesis statement

•organize your paragraphs with strong topic sentences

addressing the essay tasks

•provide relevant outside information to support your

topic sentences (in each paragraph)

•incorporate document information and analysis to

support your topic sentences (in each paragraph)

•write a conclusion that returns to your thesis (point of view)

the conclusion may be very similar to your introduction paragraph