Renewing the Sectional Struggle 1848-1854

1. Renewing the Sectional Struggle 1848-1854

2. Mexican American War set the stage for Slavery Controversy Threatened to divide the union Big issue- what to do with are of Mexican Cession. Political parties are now formed along sectional lines- AKA north vs. south Effects of Mexican American War

3. Politicians realize slavery issue will divide nation, thus the literally did not speak of it. Polk is in ill-health from over-work and does not run again. Democrats nominate Lewis Cass. Not very warm or easy for the electorate to like. Democratic platform is silent on slavery, but Cass is the reputed father of “popular sovereignty. Popular Sovereignty

4. PS= sovereign people of a territory, under the principles of the Constitution, should determine he status of slavery PPL generally like it because it embraces self determination Politicians like it because it seemed to appease both N and S Popular Sovereignty

5. Whigs embrace “Taylor Fever” Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor, hero of the Mexican-American war. (Va.-born, slave-owner). Taylor had never even held office Henry Clay has made too many enemies and cannot run Taylor does not take a position on slavery, but he is assumed safe for the southern Whigs. Why? Election of 1848

6. Northern Whigs can’t trust Taylor or Cass Agreed with the Wilmot Proviso and stood against slavery. Want federal aid for internal improvements Free government homesteads for settlers in Western territories. Anti slavery party but ARE STILL RACIST Free soil for white settlers Impact- FSP candidate MVB takes away popular vote in NY, hurting Cass and Democrats Free Soil Party

7. Discovered at Sutter’s Mill 1848 “Gold Fever” makes people think they can really strike it rich Known as 49ers Early on, life is lawless and dangerous California Gold

8. Citizens write a constitution and apply or statehood as non-slave state. This will put slave states in the minority. The feces hits the fan in the South. South rises in violent opposition to admission of California California Gold

9. South had the presidency, majority of the cabinet, and majority of the Supreme Court. The cotton economy was good and seemingly held the north and Europe in an economic bind. Why so worried? The South is on edge

10. Northerners are wanting slavery abolished in DC Underground Railroad Most famous, Harriet Tubman “Moses” Southerners are now demanding a stronger fugitive slave law UR= 1,000 slaves escape a year (population of slaves = 4 million) More about principles, south said constitution guaranteed protection of property The South is on Edge

12. Fire Eaters- southerners who want secession Immortal trio = Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster. 1849- Meet in Tennessee to discuss secession Senatorial Giants

13. Seen as the “old guards” HC, “Great Compromiser” , followed by Stephen A Douglas “ Little Giant”- want north and south to each make concessions, but north must make a stronger fugitive slave law JCC “Great Nullifier” – restore political balance, return runaways, give south more minority rights, even suggested having a N and S president, each with veto power DW- supports and reiterates the others Seventh of March Speech- convinced the North to lean towards compromise. Most everybody loves it FS and abolitions thought DW was one of them, now they are pissed and call him a Benedict Arnold Senatorial Giants

14. Young Guard of the North = William Seward of NY More interested in purging and purifying, rather than preserving Deadlock seemed certain as debate progressed. And if there was deadlock the south would likely secede. Deadlock and Danger

15. Taylor will not accept any compromises Dies of intestinal disorder Milliard Fillmore is the new president Fillmore embraces compromise Breaking the Congressional Logjam

16. Nashville Convention Fire eaters unhappy with “compromises” want to ensure prosperity of slavery Comp. Of 1850 passes before the second meeting, South is accepts compromises, kills Nashville Convention Southern Extremists

17. Pro-North: Cal. admitted as a free state; Terr. in dispute between TX and NM goes to NM, so more likely to go free abolition of slave-trade (but not slavery) in Wash. DC. Pro-South: NM and Utah slavery issue to be decided by popular sovereignty; more stringent Fugitive Slave Law. $10 Million to Texas Compromise of 1850

19. North calls it “bloodhound bill” Provisions: Slaves not allowed to testify and denied a jury trial. Commissioner who handled the case got twice as much if the slave was returned. Northerners who aided slaves to freedom subject to heavy fines and jail. Northerners could be ordered to assist in capture of run-aways Fugitive Slave Law of 1850

20. “Man Stealing Law” Forces many to become abolitionists Massachusetts nullifies law Other states pass “personal liberty laws” which deny local jails to federal officials Failure of the Fugitive Slave Law

21. Election of 1852 Democrats, in trouble select Franklin Pierce “Second Dark Horse” Stood for territorial expansion, and upholding the FSL (comp of 1850) Whigs – Winfield Scott Great general, but not well liked by people Stood for comp. Of 1850 but not as enthusiastic North Whigs dislike him for platform South Whigs didn’t believe he would enforce the FSL Free Soil Party- John P. Hale Defeat and Doom for the Whigs

23. Pierce cabinet full of southerners Jefferson Davis is Sec. of War South needs more slave states Can’t find in US, so start looking over southern border Fueled by ideas of Manifest Destiny. President Pierce The Expansionist

24. Clayton-Bulwer Treaty 1850- Britain and US agree not to seek or fortify control over Nicaraguan Isthmus President Pierce The Expansionist

25. William Walker, filibuster is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution. Takes over and becomes president of Nicaragua, in hopes of spreading slavery, very short lived President Pierce The Expansionist

26. The South saw Cuba as the most desirable slave territory available. Right off our Southern shore and perfect for a slave economy. Already had lots of slaves there. Carved into several states it would restore the north-south balance Pierce offers Spain 100 Mil. to buy. Spain refuses. Spain seizes American boat Black Warrior Potential for war Ostend Manifesto Secret meeting in Ostend Belgium, US offers 120 millions for Cuba, if Spain says no, US would be justified in seeking war with Spain Northern FS expose secret, US withdraws plans Filibustering in Cuba

27. Treaty of Wanghia 1844- US gets “most favored nation” status Many missionary movements flock there Treaty of Kanagawa 1854- established loose trading rights with Japan- Done by Commodore Mathew Perry The US in Asia

28. Need to connect to lands of Mexican Cession or they could break away. Northern route or southern route? The Transcontinental Railroad movement

29. Sec. of War Davis sends James Gadsden as minister to Mex. 10 Million dollars for Gadsden Purchase Southern route for Trans. RR now makes most sense Northerners are upset, want to organize Nebraska for northern route Gadsden Purchase

30. Stephen A Douglas “Little Giant” Wants to open the west and solve problems for N and S Also had investments in Chicago RR industry Split Nebraska into two Kansas assumed to go Slave Nebraska assumed to go free Problems? Kansas and Nebraska

31. Violates Missouri Compromise South jumps on it, never thought Kansas was slave territory North felt the Miss. Comp. Is almost as sacred as the constitution itself. SAD pushes it through, with majority of southern support Kansas and Nebraska

32. Compromise between the N and S is over Slavocracy and abolitionists flock to area to enforce their wishes Democrats are severely weakened Major Impact- formation of the Republican party Made up of disgruntled Whigs and democrats, Free Soilers, Know Nothings, and others pissed at the Kan/Neb Act Political Parties are now completely sectional South calls the republican party “a nigger stealing, stinking, putrid abolition party” The Civil War, Before the Civil War