The Slavery Issue in the west Chapter 16

Chapter 16.1 Topics The Missouri Compromise The Wilmot Proviso Sectionalism Free Soil Party Compromise of 1850 Fugitive Slave Law of 1850

The Missouri Compromise Missouri wanted to become a state-but it would disrupt the balance of slave and free states Maine had applied for statehood, allowing Henry Clay to propose his Missouri Compromise Missouri would be a slave state Maine would be a free state

Louisiana Purchase

36°30' latitude line: Allowed slavery south with the exception of Missouri in the Louisiana purchase area

New Lands in the west new slave/free state problems

Example: Loyalty to Michigan, but not to the United States Sectionalism Sectionalism: is loyalty to a state or section, rather than to the country as a whole Example: Loyalty to Michigan, but not to the United States

Opposing views

Popular sovereignty Voters in a new territory would decide whether or not their territory would become a slave or a free territory. Slaves were not entitled to a vote

Free Soil Party Slavery brought about the creation of the Free Soil Party- Northern Democrats and Whig party members did not want slavery to spread Speaking out may mean they would lose votes in the south Feared slavery would become an issue that would force the nation to divide Antislavery members from both parties created the Free Soil Party in 1848 “Free soil, free speech, free labor, and free men” Their goal was to prevent slavery from expanding to the Western Territories

Free Soil party “Free Soilers” nominated former President Martin Van Buren as their candidate for the 1848 Presidential election Lewis Cass (Michigan!) Zachary Taylor; Mexican War Hero Zachary Taylor elected because southern slave owners assumed as a slave owner, he would support their cause Free Soil Party members did win several seats in Congress, proving that slavery was no longer a minor issue

Review The main purpose of the Missouri Compromise was a) to abolish slavery in all of the Louisiana Purchase. b) to allow slavery in all of the Louisiana Purchase. c) to keep the Union from splitting. d) to keep slavery out of the Mexican Cession. People who favored popular sovereignty argued that a) voters in a new territory should decide whether to allow slavery there. b) the Missouri Compromise line should be extended across the Mexican Cession. c) slavery should be banned completely everywhere in the country. d) slavery should be allowed everywhere in the country.

Answer

A New compromise With California now wanting admission as a free state as part of the Union (United States), the balance of free and slave states was put in jeopardy

California requests statehood Fear of California’s admittance would lead to Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico joining as free states as well Why would the south be upset with this? Imbalance of power in Congress Southern States could be outvoted in the Senate

Clay vs Calhoun Senator John C. Calhoun refused any compromise because he believed slavery was the right of the Southern States “let the states…agree to part in peace. If you are unwilling that we should part in peace, tell us so, and we shall know what to do.” Henry Clay- Desperately wanted the North and South to reach an agreement rather than have the South secede from the Union Secede: to formally remove oneself from a union, group, or alliance

Opinions

The Compromise of 1850 Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 California Admitted as a Free State Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 Popular Sovereignty in New Mexico & Utah Slave Trade Ban in Washington D.C Texas/New Mexico Border Dispute Settled

Compromise of 1850

The fugitive slave law of 1850 The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 stated: 1. All citizens must help catch runaway slaves. 2. People who let fugitives escape could be fined $1,000 and jailed. 3. Special courts would handle cases of runaways. There would be no jury trials. Judges would receive $10 for sending an accused runaway to the South and $5 for setting someone free.

Response to the fugitive slave act 1. Some judges sent African Americans to the South whether or not they were runaways. 2. The act enraged antislavery northerners. It made them feel as if they were part of the slave system. 3. Tensions remained high because neither side got what it wanted.

Review Which one of the following statements was NOT a part of the Compromise of 1850? a) California was admitted to the Union as a free state. b) The slave trade ended in Washington, D.C. c) Southern states that objected to the compromise could secede peacefully. d) A strict fugitive slave law required northerners to return runaway slaves. The Fugitive Slave Law resulted in all of the following EXCEPT a) Required all citizens to return escaped slaves. b) Anyone who allowed a slave to escape could be fined $1,000 and jailed. c) Set up special courts to handle the cases of runaway slaves. d) Judges often helped free African Americans by sending them North to Canada.

Answers Which one of the following statements was NOT a part of the Compromise of 1850? a) California was admitted to the Union as a free state. b) The slave trade ended in Washington, D.C. c) Southern states that objected to the compromise could secede peacefully. d) A strict fugitive slave law required northerners to return runaway slaves. The Fugitive Slave Law resulted in all of the following EXCEPT a) Required all citizens to return escaped slaves. b) Anyone who allowed a slave to escape could be fined $1,000 and jailed. c) Set up special courts to handle the cases of runaway slaves. d) Judges often helped free African Americans by sending them North to Canada.