In 1819, there were 11 free states and 11 slave states. Representation in the Senate was evenly balanced between the North and the South. Missouri wanted to join the Union as a slave state. That would give the South a majority in the Senate.

Missouri Compromise Henry Clay proposed the Missouri Compromise. Missouri would join the Union as a slave state. Maine would join the Union as a free state.

Congress drew an imaginary line across the southern border of Missouri at latitude 36º30´N. Slavery would be permitted in the Louisiana Purchase south of that line. Missouri Compromise

Issue of Slavery in the West Problem: Result of the Mexican War, US acquired a vast amount of land. Missouri Compromise applied only to the LA Purchase, not the new western lands.

Arguments - Issue of Slavery in the West North: Congressman David Wilmot (PA) called for a law to ban slavery in any territories won from Mexico. (Wilmot Proviso)

Arguments - Issue of Slavery in the West South: Southern leaders said Congress had no right to ban slavery in the West

The Outcome House passed the Wilmot Proviso, but the Senate defeated it. The argument continued.

Opposing Views Abolitionists - Slavery should be banned throughout country & morally wrong. Southern Slaveholders - Slavery should be allowed in any territory. Slaves who escape to the North should be returned.

Other Viewpoint Idea of Popular Sovereignty - right of people to create their government Voters in a new territory would decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery.

A New Political Party Many northern Democrats & Whigs opposed the spread of slavery, but leaders of both parties refused to take a stand. Antislavery members of both parties met and founded Free- Soil Party

Free-Soil Party - main goal was to keep slavery from spreading to the western territories.

Presidential Election of issue in election- slavery Free-Soilers – Van Buren: ban on slavery in land gained from Mexican War Democrats - Cass (Michigan): supported popular sovereignty Whigs – Taylor- LA slave owner

Winner of 1848 Presidential Election- Taylor Even Congress contained 13 Free-Soilers

Slavery Debate… slave states and 15 free states. California enter as a free state - North would have a majority in the Senate. South fear territories Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico enter as free states

Southerners worried would be outvoted in Senate Southern States possibility secede or leave the US

Opposing Views Clay - North and South reach an agreement and if they failed to do so - warned that the nation could break apart. Calhoun - Refused to compromise insisted that slavery be allowed in the western territories

Calhoun Continued… demanded fugitive slaves be returned to their owners, and warned if the North did not agree South would use force to leave the Union Webster - slavery evil but the breakup of US worse - warned against civil war

Compromise of 1850 Admits CA as a free state Territories of New Mexico & Utah voters decide slavery question by popular sovereignty Bans slave trade in Washington,DC (not slavery) Fugitive Slave Act

Compromise Continued… Settles Texas/New Mexico border dispute - (Texas gave up land in eastern New Mexico and in return US assumed payment of their debts)

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 All citizens must help catch runaway slaves. People who let fugitives escape could be fined $1,000 and jailed. Special courts handle cases of runaways. There would be no jury trials. Judges receive $10 for sending an accused runaway to the South and $5 for setting someone free.

Response - Fugitive Slave Act Some judges sent African Americans to the South whether or not they were runaways to receive extra money. Act enraged antislavery northerners - made them feel as if they were part of the slave system.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe to show evils of slavery and the injustice of Fugitive Slave Act. Book tells the story of Uncle Tom, an enslaved African American noted for his kindness. Tom is bought by the brutal Simon Legree

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Continued.. When Tom refuses to reveal the location of two runaways, Legree whips him to death.

Reaction to Uncle Tom’s Cabin Northerners could no longer view slavery as a political problem for Congress to settle. More and more northerners now saw slavery as a moral problem facing every American.

Reaction to Uncle Tom’s Cabin Southerners claimed that the book did not give a true picture of a slave’s life.