Missouri Compromise

Mexican Cession

• Polk = $2 million in “negotiation fees”

• 1st term Rep., David Wilmot (Penn) adds a “proviso”– No slavery or servitude

can be in the territory• NW Ordinance copy

• Polk = spread Missouri Comp. line through territory

Cass Amendment

• Senator Lewis Cass (Mich) – Congress has no

authority to impose settlement

– Let popular will choose• Popular Sovereignty

• Republican virtue

Election of 1848• Democrats split = Nominate Lewis Cass• Free-Soil Party (Democrats) = Martin Van Buren• Whigs = Zachary Taylor (No platform)

Problems of Sectional Balance in 1850

Problems of Sectional Balance in 1850

ß California statehood = Gold rush

ß Southern “fire-eaters” threateningsecession.

ß Calling for Conventions

ß Underground RR & fugitive slave issues

ß California statehood = Gold rush

ß Southern “fire-eaters” threateningsecession.

ß Calling for Conventions

ß Underground RR & fugitive slave issues

Parts of the Compromise of 1850

• *Henry Clay was a key figure but he couldn’t get it done– All or nothing = Nothing

• 1. Admission of California as a free state– Already in Calif. Constitution

• 2. Remaining western territories organized with no restriction on slavery (NM & Utah)

• 3. End of all slave trade in the District of Columbia• 4. Strict federal fugitive slave law• 5. Assumption of Texas' debt by the national government

Compromise of 1850

Compromise of 1850

The “Know-Nothings” [a.k.a. The American Party]

The “Know-Nothings” [a.k.a. The American Party]

ß Nativists.

ß Anti-Catholics.

ß Anti-immigrants.

ß Nativists.

ß Anti-Catholics.

ß Anti-immigrants.1849 Secret Order of the Star-

Spangled Banner created in NYC.1849 Secret Order of the Star-

Spangled Banner created in NYC.

1852 Presidential Election

1852 Presidential Election

√ Franklin Pierce Gen. Winfield Scott John Parker Hale Democrat Whig Free Soil

√ Franklin Pierce Gen. Winfield Scott John Parker Hale Democrat Whig Free Soil

1852Electio

n Results

1852Electio

n Results