by abigail jackson. david wilmot – a pennsylvanian democratic congressman born in 1814 during...
TRANSCRIPT
WILMOT PROVISOBy Abigail Jackson
WHO? David Wilmot – a Pennsylvanian
Democratic CongressmanBorn in 1814During 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.
WHAT? 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
WHY?President Polk was very pro-expansion and
Manifest DestinyAnnexation of Texas increases conflict and
the Mexican-American War begins Capture of New Mexico and California sparks
debateThree months into the war, the Wilmot
Proviso is proposed in order to determine slavery in new territories.
WHAT IT WAS REALLY ABOUT
Political PowerNever about whether slavery was morally
right or wrongExpansion of slavery would give the south
more power in representationMany northerners thought that President
Polk, his Cabinet and the national agenda had more southern influence and favored the south
THE CONSEQUENCES 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
NEW POLITICAL PARTY Free Soilers
New political partyEventually was absorbed into the new
Republican partyConsisted 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
THE NORTH 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 BritainDidn’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
THE SOUTH Slaves were property and people had a
right to go where ever they wanted with their property
Or Popular Sovereignty
UNITED STATES IN 1848
SOURCES www.americaslibray.gov www.ushistory.org www.wikipedia.com The South and Three Sectional Crises by
Don E. Fehrenbacher Liberty Equality Power: A History of the
American People (Textbook) http://Americanhistory.suite101.com