What event most directly led Lincoln to emphasize racial equality in his speeches?
The widespread impact of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" on public opinion regarding slavery and racial inequality
The Supreme Court's Dred Scott Decision affirming the non-citizenship of African Americans and the legality of slavery in territories
The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act resulting in violent conflicts over slavery in new territories
The enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act leading to a surge in abolitionist sentiments and actions
Verified for the 2025 AP US History exam•Citation:
After the War of 1812, there was a sense of national unity and purpose that characterized the years that followed. President James Monroe even tried to eliminate political parties by downplaying his own affiliation. It’s been coined the “Era of Good Feelings” because of this desire for unity, but of course not everyone experienced these “good feelings”. Slavery continued in the south, despite the international ban on the slave trade, and Native Americans continued to be persecuted as the United States expanded west.