Chap Renewing the Sectional Struggle Essential Question: Why were the years from 1848 to 1854 so critical in igniting the Civil War?

Renewing the Sectional Struggle The sectional conflict over the expansion of slavery that erupted after the Mexican War was temporarily quieted by Clay’s Compromise of 1850 though the Fugitive Slave Law aroused opposition in the North. Douglas’ Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 exploded it again by repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820 with its insistence on “popular sovereignty.”

In the 1850s, American expansionism in the West (Mexican Cession, Gadsden Purchase) and the Caribbean (Nicaragua, Cuba) was extremely controversial because it was tied to the slavery question and led to the birth of a new party, the Republican Party, and set the stage for the Civil War.

I. The Popular Sovereignty Panacea Mexican Cession renewed question of extending slavery Split both Whigs and Democrats into north and south Northern abolitionists vs. southern “fire-eaters” Northerners wanted Wilmot Proviso (no slavery in Mexican Cession) –Southerners blocked its passage Election of 1848: –Democrats choose Gen. Lewis Cass – party silent on slavery But Cass wasn’t – was for popular sovereignty –People like popular sovereignty because it was democratic –Politicians like it because it is compromise

II. Political Triumphs for General Taylor 1848: Whigs nominate Zachary Taylor (not Clay) - didn't commit to either side of slavery question though –Was a southerner and owned slaves Free Soil Party created, nominated Van Buren; completely against slavery; for Wilmot Proviso; also for internal improvements and free homesteads Conscience Whigs joined too Taylor: 1,360, *winner! Cass: 1,222, VanB: 291,000 0

III. “Californy” Gold Gold discovered in 1848 led to massive influx of people Many were lawless men and prostitutes Calif. government ill-equipped to handle influx Under pressure from Taylor, California secretly wrote a constitution excluding slavery and applied for statehood

IV. Sectional Balance & Underground RR 15 slave and 15 free states New Mexico wants to be free, but Texas is claiming land in New Mexico South feared North would add power by admitting CA as free + outlawing slavery in D.C. Also incensed by slaves escaping by Underground Railroad; want stronger 1793 fugitive slave law “Moses” Harriet Tubman More blacks freed by self-purchase and voluntary emancipation than by Underground Railroad

V. Twilight of the Senatorial Giants Old Guard “immortal trio” of Clay (w/ Douglas’ support), Calhoun, and Webster –Clay/Douglas – compromise –Calhoun – leave slavery issue alone, but stricter fugitive slave law; died before debate was over –Webster backed Clay: Wanted to give concessions –Seen as traitor to abolitionists for not calling for outright abolition I’m Henry Clay… still not president 

VI. Deadlock and Danger on Capitol Hill William Seward: radical abolitionist, part of Young Guard –“higher law”: law greater than Constitution, dealing with Christian values Taylor was bent on vetoing any compromise passed by Congress When Texans threatened to seize Santa Fe in disputed land, Taylor was enraged

VII. Breaking the Congressional Logjam Taylor died; Millard Fillmore took his place as Pres. –Fillmore signed compromise measures –Clay, Webster, Douglas urge compromise –Southern “fire eaters” opposed to any compromise when met in Tenn., but South did –2 nd Era of Good Feelings arose after Compromise of 1850 signed

VIII. Balancing the Compromise Scales North got better deal in Comp. of 1850 –1.California free –2.Territories of NM and Utah = pop. sov. –3.Texas paid $10 mil. for loss of disputed territory –4.Slave trade ended in Washington, DC. –5.Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 Slaves could not testify on own behalf No jury trial Money paid for return H.B. Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin in protest Some N. states passed “personal liberty laws”- feds couldn’t use state jails

IX. Defeat and Doom for the Whigs Election of 1852 –Dem. = Franklin Pierce (2 nd “dark horse”; from NH); for Comp. of 1850 and Fug. Slave Law –Whig = Gen. Winfield Scott; also for Comp. of 1850 But Whigs split between anti-slavery Northerners and pro-slavery Southerners Dem. won 254 to 42; 1.6 mil. to 1.4 mil. Marks end of Whigs Marks beginning of sectional parties

X.Expansionist Stirrings South of Border Victories of Mexican War + gold stimulate Manifest Destiny ideals Slavocrats looked for slave territories to the south in Mexico and Cuba; some speak of canal Clayton-Bulwer Treaty: neither US or Bri. would control possible canal William Walker ruled Nicaragua –Forcibily taken = “filibuster”* –Ousted by Central American forces and executed in 1860 *NOT the typical meaning “The Westward Angel”

Cuba –Large slave population; desirable slave territory; Polk offered $100 mil. South tried to overtake Cuba with “filibuster” forces = pirates Ostend Manifesto drawn up –$120 million for Cuba or war with Spain –Northerners furious so Pierce backed down

XI. The Allure of Asia US now wanting markets in Asia like Britain China –Cushing negotiated Treaty of Wanghia, 1844 US gets “most favored nation” trading status “extraterritoriality” for US citizens tried by US officials Door opens for missionaries Japan –Commodore Matthew Perry “opens door” –Treaty of Kanagawa Proper treatment of shipwrecked sailors, US coaling rights in Japan, consular relations begun

XII. Pacific RR Promoters & Gadsden Purchase Need way to connect east and west coasts –Camels?!?!? –Railroad!!! Railroad disputed between Northern or Southern route because a railroad meant PROFITS Gadsden Purchase from Mexico secured a Southern route –Santa Anna of Mexico needed $$, we needed land –Purchase negotiated in 1853 for $10 million

XIII. Douglas’ Kansas-Nebraska Scheme Need to get people into the territories to make railroad a reality Stephen A. Douglas proposed popular sovereignty in Kansas (slave) and Nebraska (free) territories –The Kansas-Nebraska Act defied the Compromises of 1820 and 1850, which caused an uproar in the North and reopened the slavery question

XIV. Congress Legislates a Civil War In retaliation, Northerners voided the Fugitive Slave Law Republican party grew in protest to immorality of slavery –Gathered Whigs, Democrats, Free-Soilers, Know- Nothings and other foes of Kansas-Nebraska Act –Formation of the Republican party created sectional rift