Pageant 13th ch18 lecture
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The document summarizes key events from 1848 to 1854 that renewed sectional tensions between the North and South in the United States. Both major parties tried to ignore the issue of slavery during the 1848 election. The discovery of gold in California transformed the state and revived the national debate over slavery in the territories. The Compromise of 1850 temporarily postponed the conflict by admitting California as a free state while strengthening the Fugitive Slave Act, but tensions continued to rise due to the Underground Railroad and southern desires to expand slavery. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compromise ban on slavery north of 36°30', further dividing the nation along sectional lines and bringing it closer to civil war.
Pageant 13th ch18 lecture
- 1. Renewing the Sectional Struggle 1848-1854 Lecture Chapter 18 The American Pageant, 13th edition
- 2. 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
- 3. 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
- 4. 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
- 5. 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)
- 6. 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
- 7. 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)
- 8. 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
- 9. 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
- 10. 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
- 11. 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
- 12. 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
- 13. 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.
- 14. 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
- 15. 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
- 16. 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
- 17. 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)
- 18. 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
- 19. 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