1. Theme: Landmark Supreme Court Cases Case #1: Dred Scott v. Sanford
Case #2: Plessy v. Ferguson
Historical Circumstances
After D of I = emergence of free and slave states (balanced). Then, Louisiana Purchase = market revolution = westward expansion = reignited debate over slavery in new territories = Miss. Comp. = 1830s – Dred Scott accompanies his owner (Emerson) of Missouri, to Illinois (free state) and Wisconsin (slavery prohibited bc of the Miss. Comp.). After returning to Miss., Scott sues for his freedom, claiming that residence on free soil had made him free.
Removal of federal troops from the South – marking the end of Reconstruction – southern states discovered ways to circumvent federal laws providing former slaves with the same rights and opportunities whites enjoyed – instituted black codes and Jim Crow laws – In Louisiana – railroad companies required to maintain a separate car or section for black passengers – black residents came together to challenge the law – Homer Plessy refused a conductor’s order to move to the “colored only” part.
Court’s Decision:
Announced March 1857 – Court divided 6-3 – Chief justice Roger B. Taney – declared that only white persons could be citizens of the U.S. = blacks “had no rights which the white man was bound to respect” and could never be part of the nation’s “political family.” (Scott had no right to sue) – Taney also stated that Congress possessed no power under the Const. to bar slavery from a territory (Wisconsin).
The Court gave its approval to state laws requiring separate facilities for blacks and whites.
The Court argued that segregated facilities did not discriminate so long as they were “separate but equal.”
Impact on American society:
Reputation of the Court, in the North, sank to the lowest level in all of American history.
Increased participation in the abolitionist movement
Increased sectionalism – brought the nation one step closer to Civil War
Made it clear that race was most certainly a prerequisite to becoming/being an “American.”
States reacted to the Plessy decision by passing laws mandating racial segregation in every aspect of southern life, from schools to hospitals, waiting rooms, toilets, and cemeteries.
Chinese-Americans also affected – separate schools for white, black and Chinese. In Texas and Cali. Mexicans although legally “white” were barred from many places.
Lynching (punishment for blacks who challenged the system)

2. Theme: Turning Points Turning Point #1: Turning Point #1
Historical Circumstances:
Changes that came as a result of this event:

3. Theme: Constitutional Change
Amendment #1: 13th Amendment
Amendment #2: 19th Amendment
Historical Circumstances:
Slavery has existed since ancient times. However, in many cultures, slavery was not for life. In the Americas, enslaved men and women were brought from Africa and the Caribbean – mostly in southern colonies.
Slave resisted in myriad ways – brought attention to people who assumed slaves were docile and happy.
After D. of I. – several states instituted programs of gradual or immediate abolition of slavery.
Constitutional Convention – slave issue touched off bitter debates between northerners and southerners – 3/5 Compromise – closing of the international slave trade in 1808
Westward expansion = reignited debate over slavery = Civil War – Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 – eve of Confederate surrender = Congress passes the 13th Amendment.
Market revolution = increased job opportunities for women and increased participation in democracy.
Women participated in abolitionism (Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth and Lucretia Mott) and other reform efforts. Some women activists also began to focus on equal rights for themselves.
Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 – Stanton wrote a Declaration of Sentiments, modeled on the D of I – Stanton’s argument was the beginning of the long battle for women’s suffrage.
Changes that came as a result of this event:
Banned both slavery and forced labor. It gave Congress the power to make laws to enforce its terms.
4 million enslaved men and women now free!
Led to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

4. Theme: Reform Movements
Reform Movement #1: Abolitionist Movement
Reform Movement #2: Women’s Suffrage
Historical Circumstances
After D. of I. – several states instituted programs of gradual or immediate abolition of slavery. The American Colonization Society – est 1817 = early anti-slavery organization that proposed that slaves be freed gradually and transported to Liberia (did not work). The Second Great Awakening inspired further opposition to slavery. Many people were influenced by the preaching of Charles Finney, who condemned slavery.
Women took up men’s responsibilities during WWI.
Economic opportunities expanded
Many women fought to end slaver (abolitionists) but were denied equal rights themselves.
Market Revolution:
 took on job traditional reserved for men
One goal and two actions:
-Make Slavery illegal
-Tubman: underground railroad, position ~ physical.
-Beecher = Uncle Tom’s Cabin , show position through literature.
-Voting Rights  Suffrage Movement
-First NAWSA was created make campaigns
-Seneca Falls Convention (1848)
Impact
-V.T.C book changed how many viewed slavery
-National politics
-Bleeding Kansas
-13th Amendment
-The 19th Amendment (1920)

5. Group #2: African-Americans
Theme: Equality
Group #1: Women
Group #2: African-Americans
Two examples of how denied equality:
-Denied Jobs
-Couldn’t vote
1.) Slaves treated as “property”.
2.) Discrimination : Jim Crow Laws :
“Separate but Equal.”
Plessy vs. Ferguson
State laws disenfranchised A.A
Two efforts they made:
-Seneca Falls Convention
-Suffrage Movement
-Affirmative Action
1.) Civil War:
-Enlisted in the Union Army
- Fought with Slave Resistance
2.) Civil Rights Movement:
-Equal Rights for African Americans
-Civil Disobedience:
 (Marches & Freedom Rides)
Success?
-19th Amendment : Women could vote
-WWI and WWII women could work
1.) Emancipation Proclamation:
- Slaves under confederate are free , ended war
- 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendment free citizens vote.
2.) Civil Rights Act of 1864 , Voting Rights Act of 1965

6. Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Theme: Individuals Other Than Presidents
Solomon Northup
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Two examples of being denied equality:
Two efforts they made :