Flipped Classroom: Sectionalism and tension over Slavery

Use the resources below to prepare for class.  Students are expected to bring notes on the materials to class in order to fuel class discussion and course activities.  Coming to class unprepared will severely limit a student's understanding of the topics.

Popular Sovereignty and Westward Expansion


The Kansas-Nebraska Act and Bleeding Kansas
How was popular sovereignty fueled by personal greed? How did it fuel the flames of sectionalism? What effects of this act were so controversial?

• This was the best Bill presented to congress because it..."...[Removes] all past compromises with slavery and makes all future compromises impossible. Thus it puts freedom and slavery face to face and bids them to grapple. Who can doubt the result?" ~ Charles Sumner, Senator, Massachusetts.

The Sack of Lawrence - Brief reading (1 webpage)

The Pottawatomie Creek Massacre - Brief reading (1 webpage)

 The Brooks-Sumner Affair 1 - Brief reading (1 webpage)
The Brooks-Sumner Affair 2 - Brief reading (1 webpage)

The Dred Scott Decision Lesson

Prior related blog posts: "November 15, 2010-Yale Lectures on this week's topics" - includes video