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The Wilmot Proviso: A House Divided in Pre-Civil War America

"A House Divided" examines the pivotal moment in 1846 when Congressman David Wilmot introduced the Wilmot Proviso, aiming to prohibit slavery in territories acquired from Mexico. This legislative attempt ignited fierce debates within Congress and laid bare the deep divisions in American society over the issue of slavery. Analyzing the context and repercussions of the Proviso, this study explores the tensions that escalated into the Civil War, highlighting how legislative actions reflected and influenced national attitudes towards slavery and territorial expansion.

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The Wilmot Proviso: A House Divided in Pre-Civil War America

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  1. “A House Divided”

    American Studies I (Honors) Mr. Calella
  2. Part I “The Bitter Fruits of War”
  3. The Wilmot Proviso 1846, Rep (PA) David Wilmot attached amendment to a bill before Congressto prohibit slavery in all territories ceded by Mexico Which territories are we speaking about? Reactions in N and S? Why did it pass in House? Why not in Senate? Pair-Share Sen. Lewis Cass (MI) proposes compromise-Popular Sovereignty; Pros and cons of Popular Sovereignty? Congress fails to pass, so becomes issue in 1848 Election Zachary Taylor wins (“Old Rough and Ready”)
  4. The Compromise of 1850 5 Major SECTIONALIST Issues that Divide North & South 1. California, free or slave? 2. Texas (slave state) border dispute with NM (undecided) 3. North wants abolition in Washington, D.C. WHY? 4. South wants North to enforce Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 5. Utah and New Mexico territories to become free or slave? Compromise of 1850 Proposed by Henry Clay to prevent the South from seceding from the Union; he wanted to preserve the Union “Great Compromiser”; saved the Union 3 times SEE HANDOUT ACTIVITY-COMPROMISE OF 1850 Stephen Douglas gets its through Congress piece mail
  5. The Compromise of 1850
  6. Part II The Sectional Balance Undone
  7. The Fugitive Slave Act Most controversial part of Compromise of 1850 Where did runaways have to flee to escape law’s reach? Why? Due Process? Could not testify, no counsel, no public trial-WHY IMPORT? Affidavit of owner-OPEN TO CORRUPTION? WHY? HOW? Northern states respond with Personal Liberty Laws Right to counsel & public trial; draw out proceedings What about federalism and the Supremacy Clause?
  8. Uncle Tom’s Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1852 (later a play & movie!) Fanned the fires of sectionalism by rallying Northern abolitionists; portrayed slaves as “people” not property No firsthand knowledge of slavery; relied accounts of her abolitionist friends Bestselling novel of the 19th Century; melodramatic South called it an unfair characterization and slanderous Slave owners depicted as both good and evil
  9. Stephen A. Douglas (“The Little Giant”) Dem. Sen. from IL; got Comp. of 1850 thru Congress 2 Main Political Goals Expansion (“manifest destiny”-he supported War with Mexicowhile Lincoln did not) Popular Sovereignty on slavery issue Wanted R.R. from Chicago to San Fran (his real estate) He needs to promote settlement of Nebraska Territory What about the Gadsden Purchase?
  10. Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 Democrat Franklin Pierce wins in 1852 Provisions of Douglas’ bill Spilt Neb. Terr. In 2 (Neb. & Kan) Popular Sovereignty to both on slavery issue What did Douglas think final result would be? How will it make matters worse? President Pierce signs it; Violate the Missouri Compromise? How? South’s reaction? North’s reaction? THINK-PAIR-SHARE Country is dangerously close to civil war
  11. Sketch map into your notes
  12. Part III Realignment of the Party System
  13. The Whigs Slavery splits the party in two Southern Whigs: Backed the Compromise of 1850 because it allowed them to be both pro-slavery and pro-union; EXPLAIN! Northern Whigs: Strongly opposed to the Fugitive Slave Act, so also opposed to the Compromise of 1850 Because of South’s lack of support, Whig Scott loses to Democrat Pierce in 1852 Sectionalism eventually destroys the party, and its members join other parties
  14. The Free-Soilers Opposed extension of slavery into the territories, but not necessarily abolition What is the difference? Why is the difference important?-Think-Pair-Share Concerned mainly with labor issues; did not want the spread of the slavery into the North because it would take away jobs HOW?
  15. The Know-Nothings A.K.A. the “American Party”-story of name Why the response? Why membership not ever grow large? NATIVISM-main platform Middle-class Protestants who feared the “hordes” of Catholic immigrants (like the Irish) coming to US Fear of Pope gaining eventual control of U.S. government Immigrants backed Democrats Party splits in 1856 (North and South)
  16. The Republicans 1854-N. Whigs, anti-slavery Dems and Free-Soilers Why were called the “Big Tent Party”? Platform-stop spread of slavery (e.g., Kan-Neb Act) Why? Would an abolitionist join the party? Full spectrum-from radical to conservative Pros and cons of having this wide range of support? Main competition was Know-Nothings Support after “Bleeding Kansas” and “Bleeding Sumner”
  17. The Democrats Strong support for state rights and limit federal power Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, and Polk National party, but dominated by SOUTH-WHY? Dem. James Buchanan wins in 1856 b/c nat’l support Northerner but support came from the South (many friends) What does it mean to be a national candidate?
  18. Part IV Freedom under Siege
  19. Bleeding Kansas Kan-Neb Act of 1854 gives Kansas pop. sov. on slavery Free-soilers and slave supporters wanted Kan.-WHY? 1854 Election-MO Border Ruffians corrupt the vote Pro-slavery gov’t wins and set up capital at Lecompton Free-Statersdon’t recognize it; set up capital at Topeka Pro-slavery supporters and Free-Staters get into series of violent confrontations (about 55 people were killed)
  20. Violence on the Senate Floor Heated debates in Senate over events in Kansas & slavery Sen. Charles Sumner (MA) multiple speeches, and in one personally attacks Sen. Andrew Butler (SC)-not cool! Rep. Preston Brooks (SC) seeks out Sumner to maintain family and South’s honor Brooks canes Sumner over head repeatedly; breaks cane Rep. Laurence M. Keitt (SC) blocks way with pistol Sumner suffers head injury & PTS disorder (3 years) How did the South view this incident? How did the North view this incident?
  21. John Brown & Pottawatomie Massacre John Brown-abolitionist, God told him end slavery Firm believer in racial equality Rumor that 5 abolitionists killed when pro-slavery raiders sacked Free-Stater town of Lawrence; revenge Brown also angered by violence on Senate floor Night raid of pro-slavery town Pottawatomie Creek 5 men-hands cut off, hacked to death w/ broad sword Terrorist or hero?THINK-PAIR-SHARE
  22. Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) Facts of the case and Dred Scott’s (slave) claim Visits Wisconsin Territory(free)-north of MO Compromise Returns to MO (slave state); master dies; lawsuit Issue: Congress outlaw slavery in territories? Holding: Scott loses, stays a slave CJ Taney wrote decision (slave owner, but did not like it) Blacks not citizens, so Scott did not have standing to sue Home state laws apply-MO is slave, so Scott stays one Residence in free territory did not matter because MO Comp. unconst. (Congress cannot outlaw slavery in terr.) 5thAmendment Due Process Clause argument
  23. Honest Abe Lincoln Born in KY, 1809; successful lawyer 1846, Whig elected to Congress (1 term) Becomes Republican in 1855 after Kan-Neb Act Felt slavery wrong, but compassionate to slave owner White supremacist view like 99% of population “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Wanted to stop spread of slavery b/c felt that would stifle westward expansion and “American Dream”
  24. Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 IL Senate Race 7 Debates 2 distinct personages Neither wanted slavery in territories and neither wanted it abolished Both point the finger
  25. Part V The Union Collapses
  26. John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA (present-day WV) John Brown leads band and take arsenal Plan-distribute weapons to slaves and start rebellion that would spread throughout the South No slaves showed up, but Lee and the Marines did Murder, treason, slave rebellion-hanged Thoreau and Emerson (“Courage”) At first Northerners condemned his acts, but eventually started to be seen as a Christian hero, martyr
  27. Election of 1860 Republicans-Chicago Convention nominate Lincoln Lincoln’s moderate views won him the day South did not believe in these promises; famous quote Lincoln wins-carries North but not one Southern state Carries North and wins election-WHY? Southern Democrats-John Breckinridge (wins South) Constitutional Union-John Bell (VA, TN, KY) Northern Democrats-Stephen Douglas (MO, ½ of NJ) Lincoln wins and did not carry majority of popular vote Does that matter? Should it matter?PAIR-SHARE
  28. The Secession Crisis Dec. 20, 1860-SC secedes from Union (days after Lincoln announced winner of 1860 Election) Buchanan a “lame duck” 6 other states follow suit February 4, 1861 create Confederate States of America Constitution Each state “sovereign and independent”-Familiar? Problems? Jefferson Davis (former MS Senator) 1st president What did the South fear in Lincoln and the Republicans? 7 Southern states seceded leaving 8 slave states in the Union and Lincoln has yet to be sworn in
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