Transcript Slide 1
Unit 5 “House divided” 1840s-1860s Chapter 10 The Nation Divided p. 352-381 With the addition of new western lands, tension over the slavery issue erupts into violence. The election of Abraham Lincoln leads to seven states leaving the Union and marks the coming of the Civil War. Chapter 10, Section 1 Growing Tension Over Slavery p. 356-359 With the addition of new western land, the debate over the spread of slavery increases. 10.1 SECTION FOCUS QUESTION: How did the question of admission of new states to the Union fuel the debate over slavery and states’ rights? Slavery & the Mexican War Main Idea: The vast territory acquired as a result of the Mexican-American War reignites the controversy over slavery. • Between 1820 & 1840 eight new states are added to the Union. – 4 free & 4 slave states (15 each now) • Missouri Compromise does not apply to Mexican Cession land • Wilmot Proviso – by David Wilmot of Pennsylvania (1846) – Would forbid the spread of slavery into any of the newly acquired territories from the Mexican War • Proviso approved in the House but rejected in the Senate – Defeated by Southern Senators but… – Scares the South big time! Why?... Congressman David Wilmot Question for discussion: Why did it frighten southern slaveholders? THE WILMOT PROVISO An Antislavery Party • Neither Democrats or Whigs take a stand against slavery (1848 Presidential Election) • Senator Lewis Cass (MI) proposes concept of popular sovereignty – people in the area vote directly on important issues Lewis Cass: Democrat • New political party: FreeSoil Party Martin Van Buren: Free Soil Party – Territory gained from the Mexican War should be “free soil” (no slavery) • Taylor defeats Van Buren & Cass in Election of 1848 (MVB took some Dem. votes) Zachary Taylor: Whig Question for discussion: Why did some people call Martin Van Buren a “barnburner”? THE ELECTION OF 1848 SAME CARTOON ON PAGE 357 A Bitter Debate Main Idea: The compromise proposed by Henry Clay produces one of the greatest debates in American history. • Admitting California as a free state would upset the balance of power in the Senate. – Southern states threaten to secede (again) – Southerners demand return of all fugitive slaves Daniel Webster of Massachusetts • “The Great Compromiser” Henry Clay called in to work a deal between North & South - Calhoun believed states had the right secede - withdraw - Webster and Clay believed the Union must be preserved • To be continued in Section 2….. Henry Clay “The Great Compromiser” John Calhoun of South Carolina 10.1 SECTION FOCUS QUESTION: How did the question of admission of new states to the Union fuel the debate over slavery and states’ rights? It threatened to upset the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. If California was added as a free state, slave states would be out-numbered. This led some southern states to threaten secession.