Lesson 23 - What Were the
Constitutional Issues That Led to the Civil War?
|
South Dakota Application:
- At the time of the Civil War, what issues impacted SD not
gaining statehood until 1889?
Have students read the following passages from: South Dakota: A
Journey Through Time, pgs. 63, 66-67:
Passage One:
The big turning point occurred in 1888. Benjamin Harrison’s
election as President made the difference. Harrison was a
Republican. Republicans also took over control of Congress. Until
then, Democrats in Congress had blocked statehood. They were afraid
that South Dakota would vote Republican and give that party and edge
in national politics. They were right about that. But after the
Republicans took over control in Washington, there wasn’t anything
that could do about it.
Benjamin Harrison had been South Dakota’s biggest booster in
Congress. Shortly before his inauguration, Congress passed a law to
bring South Dakota in as a state. It was called the Omnibus Bill. It
also admitted North Dakota, Montana, and Washington. Before coming
in, however, each state had to write a constitution and get it
approved by the voters.
Passage Two:
The other big question on people’s minds was the Indian
situation. For almost a decade white people in South Dakota had
called for “opening up” the reservation. That means having the
Dakota Indians sell some of their land so white settlers sold move
in. After several failed efforts, federal officials got the Indians
to sign a new treaty in 1889. It transferred nine millions acres of
reservation land to the government. The following tear homesteads
became available and other land was put up for sale. The process of
obtaining Indian approval for the treaty was not very fir.
Government agents told the Indians that if they did not agree to it,
their land would be taken away.
Losing nine million acres of their reservation upset the
Indians. Another problem facing them was drought and poor living
conditions. Food that had been promised to them under previous
treaties often did not arrive. Lack of rain made it difficult to
grow crops. White people had driven out the bison. For decades,
Indians had depended on the bison for their survival.
Activity
- Have students watch the Statehood video and read the two
passages regarding statehood. Students should create a chart listing
the reasons for and against statehood as proposed by its proponents
and opponents.
|
| |
|
|
