Drifting Towards War
Election of 1848 Whigs - Taylor Democrats- Lewis Cass Free-Soil- Martin Van Buren
Just who was that Taylor guy? Defender of slavery but felt west wasn’t suited for slavery Believed in popular sovereignty and encouraged CA to apply for statehood as a free state
49er’s before football Gold Rush! 100,000 newcomers to California “Lawless men and virtue-less women” Needed protection for law abiding citizens
Mexican Victory - Was it truly a victory? Free Soilers wanted abolition Southerners wanted extension of Missouri Comp. line Popular Sovereignty
Clay to the Rescue one last time Compromise of 1850 Admission of CA as a free state Division of remainder of Mexican territory Settlement of Texas/New Mexico boundary D.C. abolition of slave trade More effective fugitive slave law
Enforcing Fugitive Slave Act “Man-stealing law” Boston Mob (1854) Vigilance committees Personal-liberty laws Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Underground Railroad Informal chain of anti-slavery stations Harriet Tubman Was it truly effective or simply the principle of the matter?
Election of 1852 End of the major parties? Fugitive Slave Act fragmented Whig Party (Winfield Scott) Democrats Lewis Cass James Buchanan Stephen Douglas Dark horse (Pierce) Franklin Pierce swept election
South’s Quest Cuba Gadsden Purchase Seize by force Black Warrior Ostend Manifesto Gadsden Purchase All about railroads $10 million
Kansas-Nebraska Act Stephen Douglas Problems Solution No southerners would vote for the bill Where is Railroad? Missouri Compromise Line? Solution Assume Comp of 1850 applies to ALL territory