Wilmot Proviso & Conscience Whigs Provided, That, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted. – The Wilmot Proviso, 1846 Angered Polk and Southerners. Passed the House, but never the Senate. Further divided the North and South

Election of 1848 & Popular Sovereignty “popular sovereignty” Choose Slave or Free Democratic tradition Good Compromise politically Keep issue of slavery local One big problem: it might allow for the spread of slavery! (oops)

Free Soil Party Organized by abolitionist northerners Supported Wilmot Proviso (ban on slavery in territories) Tried to broaden appeal beyond antislavery Supported federal aid for internal improvements and free homesteads for settlers in West Diverse supporters of Free Soil Party Industrialists who didn’t like Polk’s reduction of tariffs (Northern) Democrats who didn’t like the fact that Polk got all of Texas but only part of Oregon Northern and Western whites who did not want blacks to move into territories (because of prejudice against them) “conscience Whigs” who condemned slavery on moral grounds *Free Soil Party = Republican Party!

The problem of California & The Mexican Cession Southern Fears – all states out of cession would apply as Free States and permanently throw off power applied for statehood = free; this would upset the 15=15 balance. Threatening to take part of TX, give to N. Mexico and make free state

The Underground RR = 1000 slaves annually The loss of honor from Underground RR hurt more than the loss of “property.”

Clay/Webster/Calhoun Debates Clay argued for North Calhoun argued for South Leave slavery alone return runaways South rights as minorities Restore balance Webster – supported Clay strong fugitive slave law Wilmot Proviso Seventh of March speech “let us not be pygmies, in a case that calls for men.” Financial markets relieved, threatened with loss of millions $$$ due to secession.

Compromise of 1850 North: California – free TX cedes to NM (popular Sovereignty) Abolition of slave trade in DC South: NM & Utah popular sovereignty Texas gets $10 million Tough fugitive slave law*

Fugitive Slave Law No jury trial, could not testify Fines up to $1000 for aiding or not turning in a runaway Federal officials paid for return ***Effect: Abolition movement in North gains support, Underground RR more active, states pass “personal liberty laws.”

Election of 1852 (Death of the Whigs) Franklin Pierce – Fainting General - Democrat Pro-Southern Northerner Winfield Scott – Whig Both support Compromise of 1850 Pierce wins in landslide = Death of Whigs! Whigs voted for Webster, Who died two weeks earlier. Pierce Cass Buchanan Marcy Douglas

Ostend Manifesto In 1854 three American diplomats met in Ostend, Belgium. Representing the views of many Southern Democrats, the diplomats issued a warning to Spain that it must sell Cuba to the United States, or risk having it taken by force. This statement had not been authorized by the Franklin Pierce administration and was immediately repudiated. Reaction, both at home and abroad, was extremely negative. Southerners, who had long feared that Cuba might become an independent black republic, applauded the document, but it was vigorously denounced by the free-soil press as a plot to extend slavery.

Gadsden Purchase Purpose: Transportation Camels??? How about a RR? North or South? Economic benefits to the region South – easier – no mountains, no Unorganized territories. Federal troop protection, North – We will organize Nebraska! James Gadsden- S.C. RR man, minister to MX. $10 million for area

Kansas-Nebraska Act Stephen A Douglas of IL, invested in Chicago RR company. Slice Territory of Nebraska – let slavery be settled by popular sovereignty Kansas = Slave Nebraska = Free This would mean repeal of Missouri Compromise Effects: No more Democratic presidents past 1856 for 28 years, growth in anti-slavery movement, repeal of Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 1850 BIRTH OF REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!

Writing Assignment To what extent did the debates about the Mexican War and its aftermath reflect the sectional interests of New Englanders, westerners, and southerners in the period from 1845 to 1855? (2005 FRQ) Due: Friday Worth: Quiz Grade What to turn in: Rough draft of introductory paragraph and ONE body paragraph on the template (see website) Final copy on own paper, hand-written NOT TYPED.