Wilmot Proviso & Conscience Whigs     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

Angered Polk and Southerners. Passed the House, but never the Senate.

Further divided the North and South

Election of 1848 & Popular Sovereignty

“popular sovereignty”Choose Slave or FreeDemocratic traditionGood Compromise politicallyKeep issue of slavery localOne big problem: it might allow for the spread of slavery! (oops)

Nashville Convention & “Fire-Eaters”

Run by the “fire-eaters” to discuss what to do (secession) if the Compromise of 1850 should pass. Attended by nine Southern states at the suggestion of Calhoun. William L Sharkey led to moderates to victory

over the “fire-eaters”

Significance: The Compromise of 1850 was passed and delayed the CW for another decade.

Free Soil Party•Organized by abolitionist northerners•Supported Wilmot Proviso (ban on slavery in territories)•Tried to broaden appeal beyond antislavery

•Supported federal aid for internal improvements and free homesteads for settlers in West

•Diverse supporters of Free Soil Party

•Industrialists who didn’t like Polk’s reduction of tariffs

•(Northern) Democrats who didn’t like the fact that Polk got all of Texas but only part of Oregon•Northern and Western whites who did not want blacks to move into territories (because of prejudice against them)•“conscience Whigs” who condemned slavery on moral grounds

*Free Soil Party = Republican Party!

The problem of California & The Mexican Cession

Southern Fears – all states out of cession would apply as Free States and permanently throw off power.

1849 applied for statehood = free; this would upset the 15=15 balance.

Threatening to take part of TX, give to N. Mexico and make free state

The Underground RR = 1000 slaves annually

The loss of honor from Underground RR hurt more than the loss of “property.”

Clay/Webster/Calhoun Debates

Clay argued for NorthCalhoun argued for South• Leave slavery alone• return runaways• South rights as

minorities• Restore balance

•Webster – supported Clay• strong fugitive slave law• Wilmot Proviso• Seventh of March speech “let us not be pygmies, in a case that calls for men.”

Financial markets relieved, threatened with loss of millions $$$ due to secession.

Seward’s “Higher Law”

Must obey God’s moral law and exclude slavery.

President Taylor was going to veto any compromise, but instead he died…. Was going to follow Jackson’s example and use military if needed.

New President – Millard Fillmore of NY.

Compromise of 1850

North:

California – free

TX cedes to NM (popularSovereignty)

Abolition of slave trade in DC

South:

NM & Utah popular sovereignty

Texas gets $10 million

Tough fugitive slave law*

Fugitive Slave Law

No jury trial, could not testifyFines up to $1000 for aiding or not turning in a runawayFederal officials paid for return

***Effect: Abolition movement in North gains support, Underground RR more active, states pass “personal liberty laws.”

Election of 1852 (Death of the Whigs)

Franklin Pierce – Fainting General - Democrat

Pro-Southern Northerner

Winfield Scott – Whig

Both support Compromise of 1850

Pierce wins in landslide = Death of Whigs!

Whigs voted for Webster,Who died two weeks earlier.

Pierce Cass Buchanan Marcy Douglas

Ostend ManifestoIn 1854 three American diplomats met in Ostend, Belgium. Representing the views of many Southern Democrats, the diplomats issued a warning to Spain that it must sell Cuba to the United States, or risk having it taken by force.

This statement had not been authorized by the Franklin Pierce administration and was immediately repudiated. Reaction, both at home and abroad, was extremely negative.

Southerners, who had long feared that Cuba might become an independent black republic, applauded the document, but it was vigorously denounced by the free-soil press as a plot to extend slavery.

Gadsden Purchase

Purpose: Transportation Camels??? How about a RR?North or South? Economic benefits to the region

South – easier – no mountains, no Unorganized territories. Federal troop protection,

North – We will organize Nebraska!

James Gadsden- S.C. RR man, minister to MX. $10 million for area

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Stephen A Douglas of IL, invested in Chicago RR company.

Slice Territory of Nebraska – let slavery be settled by popular sovereignty

Kansas = SlaveNebraska = Free

This would mean repeal of Missouri Compromise

Effects: No more Democratic presidents past 1856 for 28 years, growth in anti-slavery movement, repeal of Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 1850BIRTH OF REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!

First SCORED Writing Assignment

To what extent did the debates about the Mexican War and its aftermath reflect the sectional interests of New Englanders, westerners, and southerners in the period from 1845 to 1855? (2005 FRQ)

Due: Tuesday/Wednesday 11-16,17

Worth: Quiz Grade

What to turn in:

• Rough draft of introductory paragraph and ONE body paragraph on the template (see website)

• Final copy on own paper, hand-written NOT TYPED.