Prigg v. Pennsylvania Case Analysis

The 1842 Prigg v. Pennsylvania case involved Margaret Morgan, a former slave, and her kidnapping by Edward Prigg. The Supreme Court ruled that federal law overruled state law in matters of fugitive slave rendition, but states couldn't be forced to assist federal enforcement. This decision inadvertently supported James Madison's strategy of states refusing to cooperate with federal programs, influencing future resistance to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The case has been reaffirmed over 150 years, cementing Madison's approach as a constitutional principle.

What was Justice Joseph Story's initial intention in the Prigg v. Pennsylvania case?

• To limit federal power

• To expand federal power

• To abolish slavery

• To support state rights

Who was Margaret Morgan in the context of the Prigg v. Pennsylvania case?

• A former slave living in Pennsylvania

• A Supreme Court Justice

• A state governor

• A federal agent

What did Edward Prigg fail to comply with when capturing Margaret Morgan?

• Federal Fugitive Slave Act

• Pennsylvania's personal liberty law

• Maryland state law

• The Constitution

What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding state interference in fugitive slave rendition?

• States could actively interfere

• States had to assist federal enforcement

• Congress had sole authority, and states couldn't interfere

• States could create their own laws

What loophole did Justice Story's opinion leave open for states?

• States could create their own slave laws

• States could enforce federal laws

• States could refuse to assist in federal enforcement

• States could nullify federal laws

How did northern states respond to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850?

• By ignoring it

• By actively refusing to cooperate with federal agents

• By enforcing it strictly

• By supporting it

What strategy did James Madison recommend in Federalist No. 46?

• Complete state independence

• Refusal to cooperate with federal officers

• Cooperation with federal officers

• Federal dominance over states

Has the Prigg v. Pennsylvania decision ever been overturned?

• Yes, but only once

• No, it has been reaffirmed

• No, but it has been challenged

• Yes, multiple times

What impact did the Prigg decision have on James Madison's advice?

• It invalidated his advice

• It reinforced his advice as part of the constitutional system

• It had no impact

• It contradicted his advice

What is the significance of the Prigg v. Pennsylvania case in American legal history?

• It was a minor case with little impact

• It reinforced federal authority while allowing state resistance

• It established state supremacy

• It abolished slavery