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