The Winds of War
Compromise and concession
Slavery and territory
Wilmot Proviso
 prohibited slavery in any territory gained from
the Mexican War.
 Defeated in the Senate by Southern Senators
Election of 1848
Democrats: General Lew Cass
 promoted the idea of popular sovereignty.
Whigs: Zachary Taylor
 Hero of the Mexican War
 No previous political experience.
 Slave owner
A New Party and election results
Free Soil Party
 Anti-slavery third party.
 Martin Van Buren ran.
 Diverted enough votes away from Cass in
New York to give Taylor the election.
California as bargaining chip
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Gold rush hits in early 1848.
Lawlessness demands need for government.
Citizens draft a constitution, outlawing slavery,
and submit it straight to Congress.
Southern concerns ??? Upsetting the apple cart.
Compromise of 1850
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Last hurrah for Clay, Calhoun and Webster.
Clay, the “great pacificator” engineers a new
compromise. Supported by Webster and a new
figure: Stephen A. Douglas.
They urge concessions on both sides.
Calhoun pleas to leave the South alone, return
runaway slaves and restore the political balance.
(2 prez)
More ………...
Webster’s Seventh of March speech.
 Urges concessions to the South including a
strong fugitive slave act.
 “God already passed the Wilmot Proviso”
 Remember his stance on the Union.
The nuts and bolts of the
Compromise of 1850
What did the North get out of it?
 California as a free state.
 Territory disputed by New Mexico and Texas
goes to New Mexico.
 Abolition of the slave trade in the District of
Columbia.
What did the South get out of it?
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Mexican Cession territory to be open to popular
sovereignty.
Texas receives $10 million as compensation.
A stronger Fugitive Slave Law (replaced the Act
of 1793)
Fugitive Slave Act
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Replaced the 1793 Law.
Required Northern assistance in returning slaves.
“Crooked” courts…the 5/10 split.
Energized moderate abolitionists and furthered
the cause.
That’s, that’s all folks………….