Renewing the Sectional Struggle

1848-1854

Lecture

Chapter 18

The American Pageant, 13th edition

Sectional Balance and Politics Both the Whigs & Democrats tried to ignore

the issue of slavery during the election of 1848 Democrat Cass had favored “popular

sovereignty” which left decision to residents of new territories

Whig candidate General Zachary Taylor ignored issue

Free Soil Party New Free Soil Party against slavery in territories

In favor of Wilmot Proviso Added internal improvements & free homesteads to platform

to broaden appeal Odd assortment of groups in Free Soil Party

Racist settlers who did not want to live alongside blacks Abolitionist Whigs

Against slavery because it created too much competition for white settlers seeking upward mobility on new lands

Gold in California Discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848

transformed the state and the country Tens of thousands of people poured into California Many newcomers lawless men & “virtueless” women

State constitution drafted intended to bypass territorial phase & popular sovereignty excluded slavery revived the issue of slavery on national stage

Southern Grievances Balance in Senate threatened by California’s

move to enter union as a free state New Mexico & Utah also want to enter as free Fear that other Mexican cession areas would be

free states

Abolitionists wanted to end slavery in nation’s capital, Washington DC Would establish a free soil zone in the midst of the

South (D.C. between MD & VA)

Underground Railroad Many runaway slaves made it north to

Canada and freedom with help of Underground Railroad White & black abolitionists (“conductors”) led

runaway slaves (“passengers”) along a chain of antislavery homes (“stations”)

Runaway slave Harriet Tubman became most famous of conductors, helped free over 300

Stoked southern fears & anger over runaways

The Compromise of 1850 Three great senators spoke for a compromise that

would maintain the Union Henry Clay, John Calhoun, and Daniel Webster Feared the break up of the still young country Talk of secession was growing louder in the South

Despite denouncements by opposition, Compromise passed by Congress & was signed into law by new president Millard Fillmore (VP who took over after Pres. Taylor’s death)

Compromise of 1850--North California admitted as a free state New Mexico gets territory from Texas Abolition of slave trade (but not slavery) in

Washington DC

Compromise of 1850--South Rest of Mexican Cession area made new

territories of New Mexico and Utah, slavery to be decided by popular sovereignty.

Texas gets $10 million for NM territory. Fugitive Slave Law reinforced

Compromise of 1850—Impact Most controversial was Fugitive Slave Law

Northerners hated it & often ignored it Turned many into abolitionists

Southerners angered by Northern refusal to protect & return their “property”

Increased tension between two sections

Compromise postponed war by 10 years

which gave the North time to gain in wealth & population, & increased sentiment against slavery South might have won a war begin in 1850 Delay gave advantage to North by 1860

Death of the Whigs Whig party was deeply divided along

sectional lines during election of 1852 Free Soil Party lured many northern Whigs

away from party With rise of more sectional parties, the

national party of the Whigs was doomed

Manifest Destiny Southern states supported expanding US

territory into Central American and Cuba Desire to control Panamanian isthmus for future

canal Likely areas for expansion of slavery, would

maintain sectional balance if added as slave states.

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, 1850

Neither U.S. nor Britain could seek exclusive control over a future isthmian canal

Ostend Manifesto, 1854 Proposal to purchase Cuba for $120 million If Spain refused, its continued ownership of Cuba

would be taken as a threat to US, & US would then have right to take Cuba from Spanish

Came to nothing, but inflamed northern anger

Treaties with Asia Treaty of Wanghia, 1844

Secured trading rights & privileges, including “most favored nation” status for US

Protected Americans accused of crimes in China Led to increased trade; also arrival of American

missionaries to convert Chinese Treaty of Kanagawa, 1854

Set up consular relations between US & Japan Protected US sailors & coaling rights, basis for

future trade

Gadsden Purchase Purchase of land from Mexico to build

southern railroad route Purchase from Santa Anna arranged by US

Minister to Mexico, James Gadsden Need to connect with new territories in Oregon &

California gave impetus to railroad building Best southern route required new territory

Easy terrain & passed thru organized N.M. territory

The Kansas-Nebraska Act Divided Nebraska Territory into two territories,

Kansas & Nebraska, each to decide on slavery Popular sovereignty= state population votes on

slave status Expected that Kansas would be slave & Nebraska

free (Kansas next to slave state Missouri) Allowed for continued expansion while maintaining

sectional balance in Senate Required repeal of Missouri Compromise (slavery

would be above southern border of Missouri)

Stephen Douglas was the champion of the

Kansas-Nebraska Act Wanted to build northern railroad route thru this

region with Chicago as main railroad terminus Was himself heavily invested in railroad stock &

Chicago real estate

Impact of Kansas-Nebraska Act Kansas-Nebraska Act infuriated Northerners

& further reduced enforcement of Fugitive Slave Law

Increased tensions between North & South Inspired a new Republican Party united

against slavery Brought together diverse groups in unified block

Sectional divide is widened…closer to war