Connection #4 highlights the interrelation between Popular Sovereignty, the abolition movement, Scott v. Sandford, and the Election of 1860, framing them within the contentious political landscape leading to the Civil War. Popular Sovereignty, the principle allowing residents of territories to decide the legality of slavery, was tested severely during this period, especially in territories acquired after the Mexican-American War. The 1857 Supreme Court decision in Scott v. Sandford declared that African Americans could not be considered citizens and invalidated the Missouri Compromise, which limited the spread of slavery in the West. This ruling infuriated abolitionists and further polarized the nation, pushing many toward more radical positions against slavery. The Election of 1860, which saw the rise of Abraham Lincoln—an opponent of the expansion of slavery—illustrated the culmination of these tensions, as it resulted in a fractured nation and the eventual secession of Southern states. Thus, these events are interconnected, forming a cascading effect of political conflict ignited by the issues of slavery, citizenship, and state rights that ultimately led to the Civil War.
In 5 - 7 sentences, explain how in Connection #4 the concepts of Popular Sovereignty and Abolition, Scott v. Sandford, and the Election of 1860 relate to each other. Is it a cause-and-effect relationship? Are they part of the same historical event or process? Do they share common characteristics or themes? Refer back to specific events, individuals, or historical developments to support your explanation.
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