Central questions: How had the North & South become different societies between the years 1820 -1860? What is sectionalism? How did Manifest Destiny and western expansion cause the question of slavery to become a national debate?
Missouri / Compromise of 1820 Preserved balance between free & slave states in national legislator Missouri enters as a slave state Maine enters as a free state Slavery prohibited north of the 36-30
Extreme Northern Extreme Southern David Wilmot John C. Calhoun
Extreme Northern position on slavery: David Wilmot / Wilmot Proviso- ban slavery in new territories
Extreme Southern view: John C Extreme Southern view: John C. Calhoun- 5th Amendment protected rights of slave owners. “No person can be deprived of property without due process of law.”
Moderate position: Popular sovereignty – majority rules on the questions of slavery in the new territories.
Mexican war 1846 -1848 War of territorial expansion Abolitionist protest Treaty of Gaudalupe-Hidalgo
1848- gold discovered in California 1849- California petitions to become a free state Impact – 15 slave vs. 16 free states
Compromise of 1850 California enters as a free state Southwest territory open to popular sovereignty Abolish slave trade in Washington DC Strong fugitive slave laws
Reality of Fugitive Slave Laws Any black person accused stood before a special commissioner with no jury Commission received $10 to find the accused a slave and $5 to set the accused free Law required all citizens to assist in the capturing of fugitive slaves Uncle Tom’s cabin -1852