Discussion Question: How did the debate over slavery unfold in the 1850s as the territorial question came to the forefront of national politics? How did pro-slavery activists defend the institution, and how did their opponents attack it? And on what grounds? How did either side characterize slaves themselves? Can you see any common ground in these arguments, or was the division between them intractable?How did the debate over slavery unfold in the 1850s as the territorial question came to the forefront of national politics? How did pro-slavery activists defend the institution, and how did their opponents attack it? And on what grounds? How did either side characterize slaves themselves? Can you see any common ground in these arguments, or was the division between them intractable?

Your response should reference at least three of the documents and must include specific quotations from them. As you introduce each of your sources, begin by setting it within its context. Whoís writing (if you know)? For whom are they writing? And why? Then proceed to answer the questions that Iíve posed. Your response (of 400-500 words) will be graded on the extent of your engagement with these documents and your efforts to evaluate them historically.