Chapter 18 Notes
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Transcript of Chapter 18 Notes
RENEWING THE SECTIONAL STRUGGLE
(1848-1854)
Election of 1848
Polk did not run for reelection – ailing
Democrats nominated General Lewis Cass “Father of popular
sovereignty” Slavery: Turn the national issue
into a local one Flaw: Might spread slavery
Election of 1848
Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor – “Hero of Buena Vista” Whigs didn’t choose Clay
– too many enemies Dodged most significant
issues, no formal stance on extension of slavery – shove it under the rug
Election of 1848
Free Soil Party nominated Martin Van Buren Supported the Wilmot
Proviso Advocated for internal
improvements & free homesteads for settlers
Taylor wins
California Gold Rush
The discovery of gold ignited issue of slavery in spite of Taylor who had hoped to ignore it Tens of thousands flooded
California – no stable government established – rampant crime and mayhem ensued
1849 – Drafted a Constitution (excluding slavery) and applied for admission
California Gold Rush
A free California worried many slave-holding Southerners In 1850, Southern states could
veto any amendment aimed at abolishing slavery
The admission of a free would change that
They were also upset over the call for abolition in D.C. & the loss of runaways through Underground Railroad They wanted a more stringent
fugitive slave law
Compromise of 1850
Key Players: Clay, Calhoun, and Webster Clay defended compromising Calhoun rejected concessions – leave slavery alone,
return runaway slaves, restore balance Webster defended Clay’s calls for compromise –
famous “Seventh of March Speech”
Congress deadlocked on the issue
Taylor (influenced by William H. Seward) was likely to veto any compromise Then Taylor died unexpectedly -> Millard Fillmore Compromise
Who Got the Better Deal?
The North… California’s admission as a free state tipped the balance
of power in Congress The disputed “Texas” territory was surrendered to New
Mexico Almost certain to be a free state
The slave trade was abolished in DC The most controversial provision was the Fugitive Slave
Law Enraged Northerners, some of whom refused to enforce it
(like SC in 1832)
Election of 1852
Democrats – couldn’t decide who to run Franklin Pierce (who’s he?)
Dark-horse, enemyless – (pro-Southern Northerner – accepted by the pro-slaveryites of the Democratic party)
Platform – territorial expansion, support of Compromise of 1850 (including Fugitive Slave Law)
Election of 1852
Whigs – should have run someone associated with the Compromise of 1850 (Fillmore or Webster) Instead, they went with tradition (military leader) –
Winfield Scott As a result, the party was split
Antislavery (North) did not agree with Scott’s endorsement of the Fugitive Slave Law
Southern Whigs agreed with platform, but weren’t convinced of Scott’s commitment to the Compromise of 1850
Pierce wins in a landslide
Manifest Destiny Revisited
The South needed more slave territory (UT & NM territories had been left to popular sovereignty) & the Caribbean William Walker tried to take control of Nicaragua
Pierce withdrew diplomatic recognition Coalition of Central American nations formed against him –
firing squad
Expansion South?South needed more slave territory (UT and NM
territories left to popular sovereignty) but wanted more – Caribbean William Walker tried to take control of Nicaragua
Pierce withdrew diplomatic recognition Coalition of Central American nations formed against him –
firing squadCuba
Polk had considered offering Spain $100 million (Spanish refused)
Southerners try to invade – repelled Angry mob attacks Spain’s consulate in New Orleans Spain seizes Black Warrior
Spain won’t have support of England, France, or Russia – Crimean War
Ostend Manifesto U.S. offer $120 mil – if refused, US justified in taking Northerners embittered – Pierce Administration drops
The Gadsden PurchaseTransportation Problems – land transportation
was necessary to the keep the Pacific Coast from breaking away Solution: Transcontinental Railroad Could only afford one line – North or South?
Rewards: Wealth, Population, and Influence
Economically, South was losing the race with the North South is eager for railroad Best route in the South ran slightly south of Mexican
border (needed another chunk of Mexico) James Gadsden negotiates treaty w/ Santa Anna in 1853 -- $10
million Allowed South to insist on Railroad
Had land, mountains were less high, route would not pass through any unorganized territory (NM officially a territory w/ federal troops)
Douglas’s Kansas-NebraskaStephen Douglas counter attack to South’s Gadsden Purchase Cut Nebraska Territory in two (Kan. & Neb.) – Slavery
would be determined by popular sovereignty Assumed Nebraska would be free, Kansas would be
slave – maintain balanceProblem – Contradiction of MC
– KS is due west of Missouri – north of 36°30’Southerners saw a chance to gain one more
slave stateNortherners react with opposition to the
Fugitive Slave Law