By Abigail Jackson

 David Wilmot – a Pennsylvanian Democratic Congressman  Born in 1814  During his political career was a Democratic, Free Soiler, and Republican.  Proposed the Wilmot Proviso as a solution to the slavery conflict of new territories created from the Mexican Cession.  Did not oppose slavery itself, just expansion of it.

 The Wilmot Proviso  Meant to ban slavery throughout the new territories acquired through the Mexican American war.  Was liked by Southerners but not the Northerners  Passed through the House many times, but never the Senate because of a southern majority.  Was proposed on August 8, 1846  Was an additional provision on a $2 million appropriations bill intended for final negotiations to resolve the Mexican–American War “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

 President Polk was very pro-expansion and Manifest Destiny  Annexation of Texas increases conflict and the Mexican-American War begins Capture of New Mexico and California sparks debate  Three months into the war, the Wilmot Proviso is proposed in order to determine slavery in new territories.

 Political Power  Never about whether slavery was morally right or wrong  Expansion of slavery would give the south more power in representation  Many northerners thought that President Polk, his Cabinet and the national agenda had more southern influence and favored the south

 Division  Further parting of political parties Whigs and Democrats sectional division between free and slave states Congressional interference with slavery in the new territories  National division (north and south) Intensified conflict  Lead to the Compromise of 1850  Contributed to the Civil War by accentuating differences State’s rights Slavery Political power and representation

 Free Soilers  New political party  Eventually was absorbed into the new Republican party  Consisted of Barnburners (New York Democrats), antislavery Whigs, and members of the former Liberty Party  Platform: against expansion of slavery, homestead law, internal improvements and a tariff for revenue only

 Insisted that all states should be free, no more slavery  Felt the were being treated unfairly  President Polk seemed to favor the south Didn’t agree with the Wilmot Proviso Compromised on the Oregon settlement with Great Britain Didn’t seem as if Polk pursued the northern territory with as much intensity as he used to acquire Texas. Walker Tariff Reduced tariffs, supported southern Democrats who had little industry in their district

 Slaves were property and people had a right to go where ever they wanted with their property Or  Popular Sovereignty

    The South and Three Sectional Crises by Don E. Fehrenbacher  Liberty Equality Power: A History of the American People (Textbook) 