What the North got (the better deal in the Compromise of 1850) California was admitted as a free state (permanently tipping the balance) Texas lost its disputed territory to New Mexico and (what is now) Oklahoma Slave trade (but not slavery ) was illegal in D.C. (symbolic and impractical)

What the South got… Popular Sovereignty in the Mexican Cession lands (this was good for the South because prior to this, there was to be no new slave lands (the 36° 30΄ line had determined that). On paper, this could have opened up a lot of land to slavery. In reality, this was bad for the South because (Webster was right) the West was too dry to raise cotton and would never see slaves. Texas was paid $10 million for the land lost to New Mexico. A tougher Fugitive Slave Law 1) fleeing slaves couldn’t testify on their own behalf 2) Federal Commissioner got $5 if the slave was freed and $10 if not 3) people ordered to help catch slaves had to do so even if they didn’t want to

Angry Northerners pledged to not follow the law. The Underground Railroad stepped up its timetable. The new Fugitive Slave Law was really a blunder on behalf of the South because it inflamed both sides. A civil war didn’t occur (at that time) and that was better for the North. With each moment, the North was growing ahead of the South in population and wealth- in crops, factories, foundries, ships, and railroads.

Defeat and Doom for the Whigs In 1852, the Democrats, unable to agree, finally nominated Franklin Pierce (a dark horse)(unknown, no enemies) Whigs nominated “Old Fuss and Feathers”, Winfield Scott. (Vet of War of 1812 and Mexican-American War) Both parties boasted about the Compromise of 1850 (the Democrats did more). The Whigs were hopelessly split and Pierce won in a landslide. The death of the Whigs ended the national political arguments and gave rise to sectional political alignments.

Expansionist Stirrings South of the Border Pierce’s cabinet was filled with Southerners (Jefferson Davis) and he was prepared to be the Southerners’ tool July 1856, American William Walker took control in Nicaragua & legalized slavery. He was overthrown by a coalition of Latin American states but this threw fuel on the “Slavocracy” theory (conspiracy theory, South was always seeking new slave land). America eyed Cuba with envy – Spain wouldn’t sell Ostend Manifesto – U.S would offer $120 million to Spain for Cuba. If it refused (and the U.S. felt in danger), then the U.S. would be justified in seizing the island.

Northerners were outraged at this “secret” document. The South could not get Cuba (and get another slave state). Pierce was embarassed and more fuel was thrown on the “Slaveocracy” issue.

The Allure of Asia America willing to open to Asia – Caleb Cushing was sent to China on a goodwill mission. Chinese were welcoming since they wanted to counter the British. U.S. / China trade began to flourish. Missionaries went to China but caused some resentment. Relations opened up with Japan in 1854 when Commodore Matthew C. Perry asked/coerced/forced them to open up their nation. Treaty of Kanagawa, broke Japan’s isolation. (modernization, imperialism, militarism)

Pacific Railroad Promoters & the Gadsden Purchase Best way west was a transcontinental railroad Southerners wanted a southern route – Sec. of War Jefferson Davis arranged to have James Gadsden appointed minister to Mexico. Two reasons that this was the best route: 1) the land was organized meaning that any Indian attacks could be repelled by the U.S. Army, and 2) geography – the route was south of the Rockies Santa Anna was in power again and Gadsden bought the land from him for $10 million. Rip-off? Congress passed the sale. Northern railroad – mountains and Indians

The South appeared to have control of the location of the transcontinental railroad. The North said that if the organization of the territories was the problem, then Nebraska should be organized.

Douglas’ Kansas-Nebraska Scheme Senator Stephen Douglas proposed the Kansas- Nebraska Act (Kansas- slavery/ Nebraska – popular sovereignty) This was a concession to the South in return for giving up the railroad. The Kansas-Nebraska Act would have to repeal the Missouri Compromise since it had banned slavery north of the 36°30΄ line. Southerners had never thought of Kansas as a possible slave state and backed the bill but Northerners rallied against it. Douglas rammed the bill through Congress and the Missouri Compromise was repealed.

Congress Legislates a Civil War The Kansas-Nebraska Act directly wrecked the Missouri Compromise of 1820 (by opening slavery up above the 36°30΄ line) and indirectly wrecked the Compromise of 1850 (when everyone thought the issue was settled and done). Northerners no longer enforced the Fugitive Slave Law, and Southerners were still angry. The Democratic Party was hopelessly split into two, and, after 1856, it would not have a president elected for 28 years.