題目 1 · Source Comparison
15 分Read the following two sources carefully and answer the question below.
**Source A**: From a speech by a Massachusetts anti-slavery activist at a public meeting in Boston, October 1850.
"This infamous statute, called the Fugitive Slave Law, is a flagrant violation of the Constitution, of human rights, and of the laws of God. It demands that we, the free citizens of the North, become complicit in the hunting of men for Southern slaveholders. By stripping the accused of the sacred right to a jury trial, it subverts our legal system and bribes federal commissioners to deliver victims into perpetual bondage. We are commanded by a higher law to resist this act. To obey it is to forfeit our humanity and to allow the monstrous shadow of slavery to darken our free soil."
**Source B**: From an editorial in a conservative Northern newspaper supporting the Compromise of 1850, November 1850.
"The Fugitive Slave Law is, without doubt, a bitter pill for many in the North to swallow. Yet we must recognize it as an indispensable pillar of the grand Compromise that has preserved our sacred Union from immediate dissolution. The Constitution explicitly guarantees the return of fugitives from labor, and the South has a legitimate right to expect this covenant to be honored. If we refuse to execute this law, we break our national compact and invite civil war. True patriotism demands that we suppress our personal prejudices and uphold the law of the land for the sake of national peace."
**Question**:
Compare and contrast the views expressed in Sources A and B regarding the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850.
**Source A**: From a speech by a Massachusetts anti-slavery activist at a public meeting in Boston, October 1850.
"This infamous statute, called the Fugitive Slave Law, is a flagrant violation of the Constitution, of human rights, and of the laws of God. It demands that we, the free citizens of the North, become complicit in the hunting of men for Southern slaveholders. By stripping the accused of the sacred right to a jury trial, it subverts our legal system and bribes federal commissioners to deliver victims into perpetual bondage. We are commanded by a higher law to resist this act. To obey it is to forfeit our humanity and to allow the monstrous shadow of slavery to darken our free soil."
**Source B**: From an editorial in a conservative Northern newspaper supporting the Compromise of 1850, November 1850.
"The Fugitive Slave Law is, without doubt, a bitter pill for many in the North to swallow. Yet we must recognize it as an indispensable pillar of the grand Compromise that has preserved our sacred Union from immediate dissolution. The Constitution explicitly guarantees the return of fugitives from labor, and the South has a legitimate right to expect this covenant to be honored. If we refuse to execute this law, we break our national compact and invite civil war. True patriotism demands that we suppress our personal prejudices and uphold the law of the land for the sake of national peace."
**Question**:
Compare and contrast the views expressed in Sources A and B regarding the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850.
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解題
### Analysis of Similarities:
- **Unpopularity of the Law**: Both sources recognize that the Fugitive Slave Law is deeply unpopular and difficult for Northerners to accept. Source A calls it an "infamous statute," while Source B describes it as a "bitter pill for many in the North to swallow."
- **Demands on Northerners**: Both acknowledge that the law imposes significant requirements on Northern citizens. Source A notes that it "demands that we, the free citizens of the North, become complicit," while Source B argues that it demands citizens "suppress our personal prejudices."
- **Constitutional Connection**: Both sources frame their arguments around the Constitution, although they interpret its spirit and requirements differently.
### Analysis of Differences:
- **Legitimacy and Morality of the Law**: Source A views the law as entirely illegitimate, calling it a "flagrant violation of the Constitution, of human rights, and of the laws of God." In contrast, Source B defends the law's legitimacy, stating that "the Constitution explicitly guarantees the return of fugitives" and that the South has a "legitimate right" to it.
- **Duty of Citizens (Resistance vs. Compliance)**: Source A advocates active resistance, stating that citizens are "commanded by a higher law to resist this act." Conversely, Source B demands compliance, arguing that "true patriotism" requires citizens to "uphold the law of the land."
- **Consequences of the Law**: Source A focuses on the local, moral, and legal impact, warning that compliance will subvert the legal system and bring the "monstrous shadow of slavery" to the North. Source B takes a national, unionist perspective, warning that failure to enforce the law will lead to "civil war" and the "dissolution" of the Union.
### Evaluation of Provenance and Context (Level 4):
- **Contextualizing Source A**: As an activist speaking at a public rally in Boston (a center of abolitionist fervor) shortly after the passage of the Compromise of 1850, the author's purpose is to rally opposition and justify civil disobedience. This explains the highly emotional language ("infamous statute," "monstrous shadow") and the appeal to "higher law" to counter federal authority.
- **Contextualizing Source B**: Written from the perspective of a conservative Northern newspaper, the author represents moderate or Whig/Democratic opinion concerned with national stability. Writing in late 1850, the primary goal was to preserve the Union and prevent Southern secession. This explains why the source, despite acknowledging Northern distaste for slavery, prioritizes constitutional obligation and national peace over personal moral objections.
- **Unpopularity of the Law**: Both sources recognize that the Fugitive Slave Law is deeply unpopular and difficult for Northerners to accept. Source A calls it an "infamous statute," while Source B describes it as a "bitter pill for many in the North to swallow."
- **Demands on Northerners**: Both acknowledge that the law imposes significant requirements on Northern citizens. Source A notes that it "demands that we, the free citizens of the North, become complicit," while Source B argues that it demands citizens "suppress our personal prejudices."
- **Constitutional Connection**: Both sources frame their arguments around the Constitution, although they interpret its spirit and requirements differently.
### Analysis of Differences:
- **Legitimacy and Morality of the Law**: Source A views the law as entirely illegitimate, calling it a "flagrant violation of the Constitution, of human rights, and of the laws of God." In contrast, Source B defends the law's legitimacy, stating that "the Constitution explicitly guarantees the return of fugitives" and that the South has a "legitimate right" to it.
- **Duty of Citizens (Resistance vs. Compliance)**: Source A advocates active resistance, stating that citizens are "commanded by a higher law to resist this act." Conversely, Source B demands compliance, arguing that "true patriotism" requires citizens to "uphold the law of the land."
- **Consequences of the Law**: Source A focuses on the local, moral, and legal impact, warning that compliance will subvert the legal system and bring the "monstrous shadow of slavery" to the North. Source B takes a national, unionist perspective, warning that failure to enforce the law will lead to "civil war" and the "dissolution" of the Union.
### Evaluation of Provenance and Context (Level 4):
- **Contextualizing Source A**: As an activist speaking at a public rally in Boston (a center of abolitionist fervor) shortly after the passage of the Compromise of 1850, the author's purpose is to rally opposition and justify civil disobedience. This explains the highly emotional language ("infamous statute," "monstrous shadow") and the appeal to "higher law" to counter federal authority.
- **Contextualizing Source B**: Written from the perspective of a conservative Northern newspaper, the author represents moderate or Whig/Democratic opinion concerned with national stability. Writing in late 1850, the primary goal was to preserve the Union and prevent Southern secession. This explains why the source, despite acknowledging Northern distaste for slavery, prioritizes constitutional obligation and national peace over personal moral objections.
評分準則
### Marking Scheme & Levels of Response
**Level 4 (12–15 marks)**:
- Identifies both similarities and differences.
- Evaluates the sources using historical context, purpose, or provenance to explain the reasons for these agreements and disagreements.
**Level 3 (8–11 marks)**:
- Identifies both similarities and differences directly from the text of both sources.
- Candidates who offer a high-quality comparison but do not evaluate the sources cannot go beyond 11 marks.
**Level 2 (4–7 marks)**:
- Identifies similarities OR differences, but not both.
- Or, makes generic comparisons without specific support from the texts.
**Level 1 (1–3 marks)**:
- Writes about the sources but does not make a direct, valid comparison.
- Summarizes the sources individually without linking them.
**Level 0 (0 marks)**:
- No creditworthy response.
**Level 4 (12–15 marks)**:
- Identifies both similarities and differences.
- Evaluates the sources using historical context, purpose, or provenance to explain the reasons for these agreements and disagreements.
**Level 3 (8–11 marks)**:
- Identifies both similarities and differences directly from the text of both sources.
- Candidates who offer a high-quality comparison but do not evaluate the sources cannot go beyond 11 marks.
**Level 2 (4–7 marks)**:
- Identifies similarities OR differences, but not both.
- Or, makes generic comparisons without specific support from the texts.
**Level 1 (1–3 marks)**:
- Writes about the sources but does not make a direct, valid comparison.
- Summarizes the sources individually without linking them.
**Level 0 (0 marks)**:
- No creditworthy response.