Sectionalism Rises Union in Peril, 1848-1861

Now that we have everything… Post Mexican-American War: U.S. had accomplished its goals with expansion + some Expectation: nationalism…in reality: major sectionalism What caused the tension? Who was it between?

Sectionalism Feared spreading of slavery through cotton field expansion Feared Polk, a major southern democrat Abolitionist movements in the North If slavery prohibited, slave holding states would lose power in Congress Supports Polk Northern Whigs Southern Democrats

Wilmot Proviso: Review August 8, 1846: Penn. Rep David Wilmot introduced legislation in the House that boldly declared, "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in lands won in the Mexican-American War” Northern Democrats and Whigs More specifically: NO blacks in territory 30 states in union: 15 free, 15 slave Angered by Polk; “willing to fight for southern territory, but only compromise for the north”

Free Soil Movement NOT JUST ABOLITION; anti-slavery “A California where free white men could work without the competition of slave labor” Effect: Free Soil Party: 1848 and 1852 elections that opposed expansion of slavery in the west “free soil, free labor, free men!” Who are our parties now?

Southern Position “Any attempt to restrict the expansion of slavery is a violation of constitutional rights” How can this be? Slaves=PROPERTY

Popular Sovereignty Can Congress determine status of slavery in the US? Popular Sovereignty: the principle that the authority of the government is created and kept by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives (Rule by the People), who are the source of all political power BEFORE: Missouri Compromise Proposed by Clay A) Maine enters as a free state B) Missouri a slave state C) Territory N of 36-30 would be FREE Pop Sovereignty Missouri Compromise

Popular Sov Continued 1848 Election: How to apply PS? By what means would the people decide: Directly or indirectly? If a popular vote were scheduled, what about voter fraud? If slavery were voted down, would the individuals who already owned slaves be allowed to keep them?  1848 Election: Dem: Lewis Cass Whigs: Z. Taylor Free Soil: M.V. Buren Zachary Taylor wins…ignores issue of slavery Stephen Douglas champions for popular sovereignty Problems? Election 1848

Compromise of 1850 Issue of slavery in CA…Wilmot Proviso not passed by Senate CA (31st State) draws up constitution prohibiting slavery 31st Congress: distrust and bitterness Southerners threatening secession How do we fix it? “Great Compromiser” Henry Clay comes up with a plan that is debated between both extremists

Compromise 1850 California is admitted as a FREE state (31) Divide the remainder of the Mexican Cession into Utah and NM; can choose position on slavery based on P.S. Texas loses boundary dispute with NM; federal gov’t pays 10 million to Texas Slave trade in DC ends; may still hold slaves Fugitive Slave Law

Compromise of 1850 North Gets South Gets California admitted as a free state No slavery restrictions in Utah or New Mexico territories Slave trade prohibited in Washington D.C. Slaveholding permitted in Washington D.C. Texas loses boundary dispute with New Mexico Texas gets $10 million   Fugitive Slave Law Fugitive Slave Law: Must return runaway slaves to their owners Allowed to try suspects without testifying to a jury

Clay Defends Resolution “And such a war as it would be, following the dissolution of the Union! Sir, we may search the pages of history, and non so ferocious, so bloody, so implacable, so exterminating…would rage with such violence…I implore gentlemen, I adjure them, whether from the South or the North…to pause at the edge of the precipice, before the fearful and dangerous leap be taken into the yawning abyss below.” -Henry Clay

Congressional Giants Daniel Webster, MA John C. Calhoun, SC

31st Congress Responds Northern Whig; urged compromise over FSL Warned southerners about what sec. meant Preservation of Union “I wish to speak today, not as a Massachusetts man, nor as a Northern man, but as an American…hear me for my cause.” Outraged by compromise States’ Rights; South needs equal rights in the territories Way of life is threatened “The agitation of the subject of slavery would end in disunion.” Webster’s Nationalism Calhoun’s Sectionalism

New Politics Clay leaves DC Zachary Taylor 1848-1850 ANTI-COMPROMISE Clay leaves DC Douglas picks up Compromise 1850: Webster, Calhoun, and Pres. Taylor die New President: Millard Fillmore 8 months of debate: Compromise is passed Millard Fillmore 1850-1853 PRO COMPROMISE