What Was the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854

The Kansas-Nebraska Act was devised as a compromise over slavery in 1854, as the nation was beginning to be torn apart in the decade before the Civil War. Power brokers on Capitol Hill hoped it would  reduce tensions and perhaps provide a lasting political solution to the contentious issue. Yet when it was passed into law in 1854, it had the opposite effect. It led to increased violence over slavery in Kansas, and it hardened positions across the nation. The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a major step on the road to Civil War. Opposition to it changed the political landscape across the nation. And it also had a profound effect on one particular American, Abraham Lincoln, whose political career was reinvigorated by his opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Roots of the Problem The issue of slavery had caused a series of dilemmas for the young nation as new states joined the Union. Should slavery be legal in new states, specifically the states that would be in the area of the Louisiana Purchase? The issue was settled for a time by the Missouri Compromise. That piece of legislation, passed in 1820, simply took the southern border of Missouri, and essentially extended it westward on the map. New states to the north of it would be free states, and new states to the south of the line would be slave states. The Missouri Compromise held things in balance for a time, until a new set of problems emerged following the Mexican War. With Texas, the southwest, and California now territories of the United States, the issue of whether new states in the west would be free states or slave states became prominent. Things seemed to be settled for a time when the Compromise of 1850 was passed. Included in that legislation were provisions bringing California into the Union as a free state and also allowing residents of New Mexico to decide whether to be a slave or free state. Reasons for the Kansas-Nebraska Act The man who devised the Kansas-Nebraska Act in early 1854, Senator Stephen A. Douglas, actually had a fairly practical goal in mind: the expansion of railroads. Douglas, a New Englander who had transplanted himself to Illinois, had a grand vision of railroads crossing the continent, with their hub being in Chicago, in his adopted home state. The immediate problem was that the huge wilderness to the west of Iowa and Missouri would have to be organized and brought into the Union before a railroad to California could be built. And holding everything up was the country’s perennial debate over slavery. Douglas himself was opposed to slavery but did not have any great conviction about the issue, perhaps because he had never actually lived in a state where slavery was legal. Southerners did not want to bring in a single large state that would be free. So Douglas came up with the idea of creating two new territories, Nebraska and Kansas. And he also proposed the principle of â€Å"popular sovereignty,† under which the residents of the new territories would vote on whether slavery would be legal in the territories. Controversial Repeal of the Missouri Compromise One problem with this proposal is that it contradicted the Missouri Compromise, which had been holding the country together for more than 30 years. And a southern senator, Archibald Dixon of Kentucky, demanded that a provision specifically repealing the Missouri Compromise be inserted into the bill Douglas proposed. Douglas gave in to the demand, though he reportedly said it would â€Å"raise a hell of a storm.† He was right. The repeal of the Missouri Compromise would be seen as inflammatory by a great many people, particularly in the north. Douglas introduced his bill in early 1854, and it passed the Senate in March. It took weeks to pass the House of Representatives, but it was finally signed into law by President Franklin Pierce on May 30, 1854. As news of its passage spread, it became clear that the bill which was supposed to be a compromise to settle tensions was actually doing the opposite. In fact, it was incendiary. Unintended Consequences The provision in the Kansas-Nebraska Act calling for popular sovereignty, the idea that residents of the new territories would vote on the issue of slavery, soon caused major problems. Forces on both sides of the issue began arriving in Kansas, and outbreaks of violence resulted. The new territory was soon known as Bleeding Kansas, a name bestowed upon it by Horace Greeley, the influential editor of the New York Tribune. Open violence in Kansas reached a peak in 1856 when pro-slavery forces burned the free soil settlement of Lawrence, Kansas. In response, the fanatical abolitionist John Brown and his followers murdered men who supported slavery. The bloodshed in Kansas even reached the halls of Congress, when a South Carolina Congressman, Preston Brooks, attacked abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, beating him with a cane on the floor of the US Senate. Opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act Opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska Act organized themselves into the new Republican Party. And one particular American, Abraham Lincoln, was prompted to re-enter politics. Lincoln had served one unhappy term in Congress in the late 1840s  and had put his political aspirations aside. But Lincoln, who had known and sparred in Illinois with Stephen Douglas before, was so offended by what Douglas had done by writing and passing the Kansas-Nebraska Act that he began speaking out at public meetings. On October 3, 1854, Douglas appeared at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and spoke for more than two hours, defending the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Abraham Lincoln rose at the end  and announced that he would speak the next day in response. On October 4, Lincoln, who out of courtesy invited Douglas to sit on the stage with him, spoke for more than three hours denouncing Douglas and his legislation. The event brought the two rivals in Illinois back into nearly constant conflict. Four years later, of course, they would hold the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates while in the midst of a senate campaign. And while no one in 1854 may have foreseen it, the Kansas-Nebraska Act had set the nation hurtling toward an eventual Civil War.

Eating Disorders And African American Women - 1944 Words

Abstract This paper is in reference to eating disorders in African American women, and how they differ to those of other minority groups. Through research, it was found that eating disorders are not as known in African American women, or women of minority due to cultural differences. Different studies were analyzed of African American women at different colleges, to verify that eating disorders were prevalent in the sample groups. It was concluded in several studies that obesity rates, racial identity, and body image were the determining factors of the eating disorders. Introduction: Eating disorders is an issue that women have been facing throughout history, yet there are different factors that have been associated with African American women opposed to other racial groups. Research has been done to prove that environmental factors, cultural factors, different types of identity, and others are the cause of these disorders. It is possible African American Women might have different factors than women of other minorities, due to racial segregation and treatment throughout time. The objectification theory (Fredrickson and Roberts, 1997) suggests that today’s culture plays a significant role in viewing the female body as an object, which can lead to self-consciousness, mental health disorders, and eating disorders. Yet in specifically African American women, this can also cause shame of their racial identity in addition to body image.Show MoreRelatedAn Increase Of Eating Disorders Among African American Women Essay2244 Words   |  9 Pages In 1980, the first African American Barbie was introduced to the world , 21 years after the original Barbie was created. The African American doll had a small waist and skinny legs, which is similar to the original Caucasian Barbie. 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The Eating Disorders Association defines this condition as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦outward signs of inner emotionalRead MoreEating Disorders : Bulimia Nervosa1383 Words   |  6 PagesBulimia Nervosa â€Å"Up to 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder† (Wade, Keski- Rahkonen, Hudson, 1995). There are many factors which contribute to the development of eating disorders including â€Å"biology, emotional health, and societal expectation, and other issues† (â€Å"Diseases and Conditions Bulimia nervosa†). One of the most prominent eating disorders in America and around the globe has been around since the Middle Ages: â€Å"Bulimia is first reliably described amongRead MoreWhy Athletes Are Becoming An Elite Athlete909 Words   |  4 Pageswhether it be from alcohol and/or drug abuse, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or other disordered eating patterns. 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Dressing Appropriately Essay Example For Students

Dressing Appropriately Essay Dressing AppropriatelyIn high school, there were the preps, the skaters, and the burnouts, just to name a few. These groups were not only distinguished by the way they acted, but they were also differentiated by the way they dressed. By looking at a particular student in high school, one could probably infer the clique he/she belonged to. So if a person had on big, baggy pants with a oversized T-shirt that had a Etnies logo on it, one could conclude that person to be a skater and if a person had on khakis and a gap sweater, one could deduce that person to be a prep. What is a possible reason that high school students dress as they do? They might use clothing style as a sense of identity(clique) or maybe to stand out among others. I too, in high school, wanted to be included in a group and stand out. During my freshman and sophomore years, I became a skater. Also during this time in my life, my father introduced me to the game of golf. He bought me membership at an exclusive country club and the first day I went I was rejected obviously because of the way I dressed. Private golf courses require a strict rules of dress which is mandatory: khakis and a collared-shirt. Ironically and unknowingly I had gone to the course with an almost exact opposite of the requirements: 38 wide jean pants and an XXL t-shirt! Embarrassed by the situation, I began to realize that there are certain modes of dress appropriate for different occasions. Now, as a college student, I try to dress in a more stylish, refined manner because I want to stand out as a sophisticated student of a distinguished university. Reflecting on my past, I feel it is important to dress to meet the occasion. To clarify, I dont want to make the mistake off going to a golf course with skateboarding clothes again. Obviously this style of dress did not meet the occasion. I would not go to a formal party or job interview with jeans or to a golf course with cut off shorts or to a flamboyant night club dressed wearing khakis and a sweater, for if I did I would offend others. That is why there is no such thing as an appropriate style of dress(in general). There is though, a thing called an appropriate style of dress for a specific occasion.

Marriage as a Basic and Universal Social Institute

Table of Contents Introduction Changes in Marriage Reason for Changes Conclusion Works Cited Introduction Marriage and family are arguably the two institutes which form the fundamental building blocks of every human society. Sudha asserts that marriage is a basic and universal social institute that facilitates proper progeny and helps to have life long companionship and family life (198).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Marriage as a Basic and Universal Social Institute specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is through the institute of marriage that the continuity of a nation through the children is guaranteed and for this reason, marriage has been regarded with high esteem in our nation. The government has come up with benefits and other incentives aimed at benefiting married couples. However, there has been a notable change in marriage in our society over the course of the last few decades. Most of these chang es have been as a result of advancements in the society as well as changing practices. Some of these changes have been monumental and have threatened the very stability of the institute while others have had little effect. This paper will set out to articulate the changes that characterize marriage in our modern society. This shall be done by highlighting the differences in past trends and modern trends in marriage. The factors that are responsible for these changes shall also be reviewed and the plausible future of the marriage institute in the USA predicted. Changes in Marriage One of the most notable changes in marriages in the American setting is with regard to divorce rates. Ruggel states that marital dissolutions have increased dramatically over the last century and while only 5% of marriages entered into in 1987 ended in divorce, a phenomenal 50% of marriages entered into in 1967 are forecasted to end up in divorce (455). This dramatic rise in divorce rates has been blamed on a number of factors most notably of which are the increases in the earning power of women in the USA. A research by Ruggles on the rise in divorce and separation cases in the US revealed that in districts that had more women than men working there was a higher likelihood of divorce and separation occurring (464). Another trend that has become evident is the rise in premarital cohabitation. Cohabitation is whereby couple live together and have a joint economic and emotional relationship but without the legalization of their union. Reinhold notes that as of the year 2002, studies revealed that more than 50% of women aged 19-44 in the US had ever cohabited in their lives(3). At the onset of the 20th century, cohabitation was rare and the society to a large extent did not approve of it. The rise in premarital cohabitation has mainly been as a result of acceptance of the same by a majority of the American population.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Reinhold reveals that when cohabitation first emerged in the USA, it was mainly practiced by the less educated members of the society but that with time, the practice has extended to incorporate the American middle class(5). As such, this trend has become a precursor to marriage or in some cases a substitute for the same with couples preferring to not formalize their unions despite the numerous benefits that being in a marriage might bring. The gender roles that characterized marriages in the past years have changed and at over time, both sexes have come to adopt less traditional gender roles. The participation of women in the larger society was restricted and women were generally socialized to accept marriage and the subsequent family duties as the ultimate goals in their lives. In the past, the man was the sole bread winner and the woman’s role was mostly confined to taking care of the family. In modern tim es, this has changed and women have been afforded new opportunities in the society which has made them self-reliant. Sudha notes that women (especially in urban settings) are encouraged to get an education, engage in employment and even pursue politics all the while attending to the activities concerning marriage and family (198). While education and employment have resulted in a shift in marriage due to the changing gender roles, Goldstein and Kenney note that women continue to marry or join the marriage institute at the same high rates as in the past years (506) and as such, gender roles have only affected the roles of each party in the marriage and not the popularity of the institution. Goldstein and Kenney note that there has been a recent decline in period marriage rates in industrial societies as the number of marriages per annum have fallen dramatically (507). Studies reveal that while the annual rate of marriage among women in the United States remained at about 150 per thou sand in the 1960s, it fell to 110 per thousand in the mid 1970s and further fell to 100 per thousand by 1980 (Goldstein and Kenney 508). This delay in marriage has meant that couples are getting married at an older age and therefore starting up families later than in earlier days. The reasons for this are mostly the changes in society which have resulted in greater focus on the education of women. While in the past women were socialized to look at marriage as their ultimate goal, women now spend more time building careers and marriage therefore takes second place. A huge change in the marriage institute in America has been the recognition of same sex unions. While marriage has traditionally been prescribed as a union between heterosexuals, there has been a shift towards giving marriage rights to homosexual couples. This change has been brought about by the prevalence of homosexuality in the society and the widespread acceptance of gay relations.Advertising We will write a custo m essay sample on Marriage as a Basic and Universal Social Institute specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More While at the onset of the last century homosexuality was shunned and even criminalized, the 1960s saw many states making laws that decriminalized same-sex conduct and abolished discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (Volokh 106). Gathering from this momentum, gay activists have been calling for the legalizing of gay marriages and the affording of gay couples the same rights and benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. One of the factors that differentiate the United States from most other countries is its racial diversity. This is because the US citizenry is made up of a number of varying races ranging from Caucasians to Asians. Marriage is one of the institutes which have experienced changes as a result of this racial diversity. A report by the CNN indicates that interracial marriages have continued to rise since mid 1 980s and are at an all time high (Chen). These results are reinforced by Pollard and O’Hare who note that â€Å"between 1970 and 1998, the number of interracial couples surged from 300,000 to 1.4 million† (12). This is different from the pre 1960s where interracial marriages were rare. Racist marriage legislations put in place after slavery and the Civil War dictated that marriage was not a right of US citizens and therefore validated the constitutionality of racist bans of marriage. Post 1960 saw a change in this as this racist law was abolished and interracial marriages became acceptable. Reason for Changes While the essence of marriage (companionship and family continuity) still remain in today’s society, the standards at which this once prestigious institution is held has changed significantly. The question that is left wanting is: what has led to the dramatic change as regarding to how people in today’s society view marriage? Well, change as a matter of fact is inevitable and as people pursue their dreams and ambitions, sacrifices have to be made and compromises negotiated so as to meet the demands of today’s society. According to Reinhold, cultural erosion has contributed greatly to the changes in today’s society (14). Not only has this erosion affected marriage, but is has also affected religion and the morality of the human race. As mentioned earlier, religion and cultural beliefs played a pivotal role in the survival and continual growth of communities.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These cultural norms and beliefs acted as laws which governed and stipulated the roles that each gender had to play in society. Nonconformity was severely punished. As such, marriage was perceived as a religious rite of passage and each person in the bond had to respect the institution and do their part without fail. However, as generations go by, the value of culture reduces. Today, only a few people follow their culture or believe in what they represented. Consequently, the value attached to marriage has decreased significantly. For example, before, fornication was viewed as a serious offence and the perpetrators would face serious consequences and would bring shame to people from their communities; especially their families. In today’s society, the role of sex has changed and the act is no longer confined to the married couples as it was in the earlier days (Reinhold 16). Whereas, sex was formally a sacred practice between married couples primarily for the purpose of procr eation, today, it has lost it’s meaning and value to the extent that one woman can have multiple sex partners without fear or worry. In this regard, marriage has changed because the women were originally supposed to remain faithfully married to one man until death. In addition, globalization has been documented as one of the leading reasons as to why marriage has changed (Chen). Chen states that as people from different localities go beyond their geographic boundaries in search of greener pastures, they end up adopting the mannerisms that they are exposed to in the host nations. As such, marriage is no longer instituted to people of the same clans as it was earlier on. Interracial and intertribal marriages are rife in today’s society and this is all due to globalization. As the cost of living escalates, people have been forced to join together so as to meet their daily needs. As such, financial constraints have also led to a change in marriages today. Many have argued that marriage in today’s society is no longer a matter of love and companionship but is more of a contract or business agreement. In the earlier decades, women had no choice/say in matters regarding to their marriage partners. However, this has changed significantly. Today, financial stability plays a pivotal role in the selection process of a marriage partner. Most women and men would rather marry a partner that is financially sound than a partner who is living a hand to mouth lifestyle. What is most surprising is that love plays a small role in most marriages today. All that is required is having a mutual understanding between the partners. They state their expectations before hand and if an agreement is reached, then the couple can wed. This would explain why the divorce rates are high in the world today. According to Ruggles, many marriages especially among the younger generations do not reach the ten year mark (462). Some of the contributing factors to this state of affa irs include but are not limited to: financial constraints, unfaithfulness, lack of commitment (inability to fully meet one’s responsibilities) and conflicts among the spouses (Ruggles 459). Divorce was never an option in most communities in the past. However this changed due to laws which were instituted making divorce a viable option to people in difficult marriages. Sudha states that dialogue used to be used as a tool to resolve marital issues (46). People had no choice but to come to an agreement. In so doing, the children grew up in a family where both parents were present. This union acted as an example through which the children grew to respect and follow even after getting married. However, today, parents no longer concentrate on imparting family values to their children. In some cases, parents argue and fight in the presence of their children making marriage look like a bad thing. In addition, dialogue no longer suffices since divorce is an easier option. As a result, whenever the children become of age and get married, they have this predetermined mentality of marriage. They end up divorcing because that is what they learned during their childhood. The media has also contributed to the change in marriages today. Divorce has risen significantly partly due to its popularization by the media (Ruggles 456). In addition, movies and music aired in various media outlets. This forms of entertainment most often bring to light infidelity, â€Å"gold digging† (marriage for financial reasons), and domestic violence as the main characteristics of marriage. In America alone, nearly 90% of the citizenry is exposed to this negative media in one way or the other. Over exposure to such publicity leads to a situation where everyone raises or lowers the expectations of marriage. As such, many people do not marry the person they are betrothed to but that imaginary personality that they have constructed under the influence of the media. Conclusion Marriage is no longer as strong an institution as it used to be. Instead of bringing pride and respect to the married couples, it has in the recent past, been a source of shame and regrets to many. The various factors that have led to the change in how we perceive marriage have been highlighted. How marriage was in the past compared to today, has also been discussed. However, marriage still plays a pivotal role to the lives of many people. As such, individuals should try and make sure that they marry for the right reasons and to the right person. In so doing, marriage will restore its former glory as a hub for love and prosperity even to the generations to come. Works Cited Chen, Stephanie. Interracial Marriages at an all-time high, study says. 04 June, 2010. Web. Goldstein, Joshua and Kenney, Catherine. â€Å"Marriage Delayed or Marriage Forgone? New Cohort Forecasts of First Marriage for U.S. Women.† American Sociological Review, 66. August, 2001. Print. Pollard, Kelvin and O’H are William. â€Å"America’s Racial and Ethnic Minorities.† A publication of the Population Reference Bureau, 54.3 1999: 12. Print. Reinhold, Steffen. Reassessing the Link between Premarital Cohabitation and Marital Instability. 20 Dec 2007. Web. Ruggles, Stephen. â€Å"The Rise of Divorce and Separation in the United States, 1880 – 1990.† Demography, 34. 4, November 1997: 455-466. Print. Sudha, D. Gender Roles. USA: APH Publishing, 2000. Print. This essay on Marriage as a Basic and Universal Social Institute was written and submitted by user Elena F. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.