1. Sectionalism Rises
Union in Peril,

2. Now that we have everything…
Post Mexican-American War: U.S. had accomplished its goals with expansion + some
Expectation: nationalism…in reality: major sectionalism
What caused the tension? Who was it between?

3. Sectionalism
Feared spreading of slavery through cotton field expansion
Feared Polk, a major southern democrat
Abolitionist movements in the North
If slavery prohibited, slave holding states would lose power in Congress
Supports Polk
Northern Whigs
Southern Democrats

4. Wilmot Proviso: Review
August 8, 1846: Penn. Rep David Wilmot introduced legislation in the House that boldly declared, "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in lands won in the Mexican-American War”
Northern Democrats and Whigs
More specifically: NO blacks in territory
30 states in union: 15 free, 15 slave
Angered by Polk; “willing to fight for southern territory, but only compromise for the north”

5. Free Soil Movement NOT JUST ABOLITION; anti-slavery
“A California where free white men could work without the competition of slave labor”
Effect: Free Soil Party: 1848 and elections that opposed expansion of slavery in the west “free soil, free labor, free men!”
Who are our parties now?

6. Southern Position
“Any attempt to restrict the expansion of slavery is a violation of constitutional rights”
How can this be?
Slaves=PROPERTY

7. Popular Sovereignty
Can Congress determine status of slavery in the US?
Popular Sovereignty: the principle that the authority of the government is created and kept by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives (Rule by the People), who are the source of all political power
BEFORE: Missouri Compromise
Proposed by Clay
A) Maine enters as a free state
B) Missouri a slave state
C) Territory N of would be FREE
Pop Sovereignty
Missouri Compromise

8. Popular Sov Continued 1848 Election:
How to apply PS?
By what means would the people decide: Directly or indirectly?
If a popular vote were scheduled, what about voter fraud?
If slavery were voted down, would the individuals who already owned slaves be allowed to keep them? 
1848 Election:
Dem: Lewis Cass
Whigs: Z. Taylor
Free Soil: M.V. Buren
Zachary Taylor wins…ignores issue of slavery
Stephen Douglas champions for popular sovereignty
Problems?
Election 1848

9. Compromise of 1850
Issue of slavery in CA…Wilmot Proviso not passed by Senate
CA (31st State) draws up constitution prohibiting slavery
31st Congress: distrust and bitterness
Southerners threatening secession
How do we fix it?
“Great Compromiser” Henry Clay comes up with a plan that is debated between both extremists

10. Compromise 1850 California is admitted as a FREE state (31)
Divide the remainder of the Mexican Cession into Utah and NM; can choose position on slavery based on P.S.
Texas loses boundary dispute with NM; federal gov’t pays 10 million to Texas
Slave trade in DC ends; may still hold slaves
Fugitive Slave Law

11. Compromise of 1850 North Gets South Gets
California admitted as a free state
No slavery restrictions in Utah or New Mexico territories
Slave trade prohibited in Washington D.C.
Slaveholding permitted in Washington D.C.
Texas loses boundary dispute with New Mexico
Texas gets $10 million
Fugitive Slave Law
Fugitive Slave Law:
Must return runaway slaves to their owners
Allowed to try suspects without testifying to a jury

13. Clay Defends Resolution
“And such a war as it would be, following the dissolution of the Union! Sir, we may search the pages of history, and non so ferocious, so bloody, so implacable, so exterminating…would rage with such violence…I implore gentlemen, I adjure them, whether from the South or the North…to pause at the edge of the precipice, before the fearful and dangerous leap be taken into the yawning abyss below.” -Henry Clay

14. Congressional Giants
Daniel Webster, MA
John C. Calhoun, SC

15. 31st Congress Responds Northern Whig; urged compromise over FSL
Warned southerners about what sec. meant
Preservation of Union
“I wish to speak today, not as a Massachusetts man, nor as a Northern man, but as an American…hear me for my cause.”
Outraged by compromise
States’ Rights; South needs equal rights in the territories
Way of life is threatened
“The agitation of the subject of slavery would end in disunion.”
Webster’s Nationalism
Calhoun’s Sectionalism

16. New Politics Clay leaves DC
Zachary Taylor
ANTI-COMPROMISE
Clay leaves DC
Douglas picks up Compromise
1850: Webster, Calhoun, and Pres. Taylor die
New President: Millard Fillmore
8 months of debate: Compromise is passed
Millard Fillmore
PRO COMPROMISE