Jump Start
• Name two things the North & South disagreed about, politically and why that disagreement existed.
Think of Lifestyle, Occupations and Politics.
• What was the biggest ideological difference between the two regions of the US?
• How did immigration further separate the two regions?
The Slavery Debate The Slavery Debate Divides the NationDivides the Nation
Sectionalism vs. Nationalism…Again
Slavery – Should It Spread?
Wilmot Proviso :
Slavery forbidden in territories won in Mexican War.
North Supported It South Opposed ItNo So. support on Canals/Roads Slaves property – Could travelPotential Competition for jobs Potential loss of other liberty
Both Feared– Upset the balance of votes in Senate –
Then California applies for statehood!
California Statehood Debate• Launches the nation into another round of mistrust
• Wilmot Proviso still not passed – so no slavery yet in new territories of New Mexico & California.
• California’s Constitution prohibits slavery – Requests admission as a Free State.
• South feels betrayed – Missouri Compromise should have covered this – slavery below 36°30’
• Angry speeches are made all over the US.
Secession Becomes a Reality
31st Congress, December 1849
• Several issues divide the members- California’s statehood- Texas claims eastern New Mexico - North demands abolition in Washington DC- South threatens secession more often- No enforcement of Fugitive Slave Act
Fugitive Slave Act
• Any federal marshal who did not arrest an alleged runaway slave could be fined $1,000.
• Runaway slave suspects could be arrested without warrant and turned over to a ‘claimant’ on nothing more than his sworn testimony of ownership. No right to trial.
• Persons aiding a runaway slave was liable to six months' imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
• Finders Fees to officers who ‘found’ escaped slaves
Northerners Act to Resist
• “Vigilance Committees” helped get escaped slaves to Canada
• Personal Liberty Laws 9 Northern states pass laws… NO IMPRISONMENT OF RUNAWAY SLAVES
• Underground Railroad - Network of escape routes
• Harriet Tubman – escaped outspoken former slave who helped over 300 slaves escape.
Henry Box Brown, Who Escaped from Slavery, Enclosed in a Box 3 Feet Long and 2 Wide.
Abolitionists Increase PressureUncle Tom’s Cabin
A Novel Dramatized the evils of slavery
Sold over 1 Million Copies in 1
year
Southerners wrote novels too,
but none convinced anyone that slavery was good.
South feared abolitionists even more
Clay’s Compromise of 1850• California is admitted as a free state
• Utah & New Mexico decide slavery for themselvesConcept of Popular Sovereignty emerges
• Texas border with Mexico settled – slavery limited to current borders of Texas.
• Fugitive Slave Law strengthened
• Compromise of 1850 is NOT PASSED IN CONGRESS!!!
‘Compromise’ Torch is Passed
• Clay dies, frustrated ; Calhoun dies and South’s biggest opponent of compromise is gone.
• Pres. Zachary Taylor Dies and Millard Fillmore becomes President – supports compromise.
• Senator Stephen ‘Little Giant’ Douglas – Illinois 5’ 4”tall takes up the Compromise battle in Congress.
Compromise is Short Lived…
• Everyone thinks compromise ends the crisis
• Now the battle is over enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law.
• Underground Railroad is born & North resists returning the slaves.
Homework
Write a four paragraph (1 page) essay on why relations between the north and south were deteriorating from 1845-1850. Focus on the following topics and use class notes, textbook , and internet (note sources) to find information.
1) Expanding the nation’s borders and admitting
states to the union.
2) Northern vs. Southern views of slavery
Assignment Due Tuesday 1/20/09.
