1. Birth of the Republican Party
Chapter 10 Section 3
Objective 3.01

2. Objective 3.01
Trace the economic, social, and political events from the Mexican War to the outbreak of the Civil War.

3. New Political Parties Emerge
Old political parties were breaking up over the issue of slavery
Whigs deeply divided

4. 1852
Franklin Pierce (Democrat) wins presidency in 1852 thanks to a divided Whig vote

5. Demise of Whigs
Brought about by the Kansas-Nebraska Act

6. Know-Nothings Formed around nativists
Nativism – favoring of native-born Americans over immigrants – also anti-Catholic
Know-Nothing (“American”) Party founded in 1854
Know-Nothings split over issue of slavery in the territories

7. Free-Soilers Began around 1848
Wanted to stop slavery from spreading to territories
Objected to slavery’s impact on free white workers

8. 1854
Discontented Northern Whigs, Antislavery Democrats, and Free-Soilers met in Wisconsin
Republican Party formed in Jackson, MI – July, 1854
Horace Greeley – one of founders

10. Republican platform?
United to opposing the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the extension of slavery into territories
Strong enough to challenge for presidency by 1856

11. Election of 1856 John C. Fremont (California) – Republican
Millard Fillmore – Southern Know-Nothing
James Buchanan – Democrat – Northerner with Southern support
Buchanan only truly nat’l candidate

12. Buchanan Ostend Manifesto – 1854 – Cuba or War w/ Spain
Ambassador to Great Britain
Out of the country for Kansas-Nebraska Debate

14. Buchanan wins Election shows 3 things:
Democrats could win w/ a national candidate
Know-Nothings in decline
Republican Party becoming a force in the North