Chapter 18 The American Pageant

Election of 1848 Democrats (Lewis Cass) Popular Sovereignty “the sovereign people of a territory, under the general principles of the Constitution, should themselves determine the status of slavery” Free Soil (Van Buren) Anti slavery (no slavery = more jobs for others) Pro Wilmot Proviso-are against slavery in the territories Pro fed aid for internal improvements Whig (Zachary Taylor) He owned slaves, but had no official stance Avoided any real platform

Election of 1848

California Gold Rush Sutter’s Mill – 1st discovery in 1848 Rush of 49ers Apply for statehood as a NON-slave state Will alter the sectional balance in the Senate Results in radical Southerners warning of secession

Underground Railroad Harriet Tubman, a famous “conductor” 1,000 runaways a year Infuriated the South South wants better Fugitive Laws

1850 Debate Over admission of CA and fugitive slave law South threatened secession Henry Clay (“Great Pacificator”), John Calhoun (“Great Nullifier”), Stephen Douglas and Daniel Webster led debates All while….Taylor (unionist) dragged his feet

Taylor Dies Millard Fillmore becomes president Supports compromise,Taylor did not

Compromise of 1850 KNOW IT-LOVE IT-YOU WILL SEE IT AGAIN! Admission of California as Free State Abolition of slave trade in DC Continued protection of slavery in DC Passage of a more stringent Fugitive-slave Act Establishment of territorial governments in New Mexico and Utah, slavery issue left to popular sovereignty

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Compromise of 1850 inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe to write it, 1852 About the cruelty of slavery Her book, plus the Compromise, galvanize North and South

Fire-eaters Extreme pro-slavery politicians from the South Settled down after Compromise of 1850 as talk of secession was quieted Reemerged in late 1850’s Propaganda Bleeding Kansas Sumner-Brooks affair

Election of 1852 Franklin Pierce – Democrat won Alleviated Southern fears End of Whig Party (Winnifeld Scott) They ignored the slavery issue altogether

Gadsden Purchase- Jimmy Fallon’s Favorite Must be able to reach Pacific by rail $10 million purchase from Mexico, 1853 Necessary to connect South to Pacific by railroad Sparks desire to “organize” Nebraska Territory

Kansas-Nebraska Act Stephen Douglas’ attempt to offset the Southern expansion West w Gadsden Purch. Territory of Nebraska split into two: Status of Free/Slave determined by popular sovereignty Rekindled angst quieted by Compromise of 1850

Consequences of Kansas-Nebraska Act Repealed Missouri Compromise of 1820, heightened sectional tensions Permitted expansion of slavery beyond Southern states Led to divisive debate over the expansion of slavery into the territories Ignited contest for control over Kansas Split the Democratic Party Sparked formation of Republican Party