1. Chapter 14 Section 1

2.  The Wilmont Proviso ◦ Proposed by Representative David Wilmont, the Proviso banned slavery in all territories that might become a part of the U.S. ◦ It never became a law, but it was seen as an attack on slavery by southerners.

3.  An Antislavery Party ◦ Senator Lewis Cass proposed the idea of popular sovereignty, which allowed citizens of the territories to decide for themselves if they wanted to allow slavery ◦ The Free-Soil Party was formed in 1848 by anti- slavery Whigs and Democrats. By nominating Martin Van Buren for the presidency, they took votes from the democrats and allowed Zachary Taylor to win the election

4.  As the population of California rose, it was debated whether it would be claimed a northern or southern state.  Southern states threatened to secede from the Union because their way of life was being threatened.  Daniel Webster and John Calhoun, two U.S. Senators, debated over a compromise proposed by Henry Clay. Calhoun suggested that secession was the only option.