Election of 1860 Platforms

Question

Source 1

Republican Party platform for Election of 1860

1. State sovereignty

2. Free territories, support of ideals from the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

3. Repeal of Fugitive Slave laws

4. Promote the growth of American industry, and river and railroad transportation

5. Protection and promotion of Homestead rights in the west

6. Citizenship protections for all citizens, native or naturalized

Source 2

1. Resolved, That we, the Democracy of the Union in Convention assembled, hereby declare our affirmance of the resolutions unanimously adopted and declared as a platform of principles by the Democratic Convention at Cincinnati, in the year 1856, believing that Democratic principles are unchangeable in their nature, when applied to the same subject matters; and we recommend, as the only further resolutions, the following:

2. Inasmuch as difference of opinion exists in the Democratic party as to the nature and extent of the powers of a Territorial Legislature, and as to the powers and duties of Congress, under the Constitution of the United States, over the institution of slavery within the Territories,

Resolved, That the Democratic party will abide by the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States upon these questions of Constitutional Law.

3. Resolved, That it is the duty of the United States to afford ample and complete protection to all its citizens, whether at home or abroad, and whether native or foreign born.

4. Resolved, That one of the necessities of the age, in a military, commercial, and postal point of view, is speedy communications between the Atlantic and Pacific States; and the Democratic party pledge such Constitutional Government aid as will insure the construction of a Railroad to the Pacific coast, at the earliest practicable period.

5. Resolved, that the Democratic party are in favor of the acquisition of the Island of Cuba on such terms as shall be honorable to ourselves and just to Spain.

6. Resolved, That the enactments of the State Legislatures to defeat the faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave Law, are hostile in character, subversive of the Constitution, and revolutionary in their effect.

7. Resolved, That it is in accordance with the interpretation of the Cincinnati platform, that during the existence of the Territorial Governments the measure of restriction, whatever it may be, imposed by the Federal Constitution on the power of the Territorial Legislature over the subject of the domestic relations, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be finally determined by the Supreme Court of the United States, should be respected by all good citizens, and enforced with promptness and fidelity by every branch of the general government.

June 18, 1860.

Multiple Choice Question
Based on sources 1 and 2, what common beliefs did Democrats and Republicans share in the election of 1860?
A.
Western territories should be free/non-slave.
B.
Citizens rights should be protected.
C.
Fugitive slave laws should be overturned.
D.
Only citizens should be allowed to access to homesteads in the west.

Answer 1

Based on the platforms outlined in sources 1 and 2, the correct answer would be:

B. Citizens' rights should be protected.

Both parties emphasize the protection of citizens' rights, with the Republican platform supporting citizenship protections for all citizens (native or naturalized) and the Democratic platform stating it is the duty of the U.S. to protect all its citizens, whether at home or abroad.

Options A and C are incorrect, as the Republicans support free territories while the Democrats uphold the Fugitive Slave laws. Option D is also incorrect, as the Republican platform promotes Homestead rights in the west without specifying citizen-only access.