1. Agenda

2. Manifest Destiny & Slavery and Western Expansion
Manifest Destiny was the idea that the nation was meant to spread to the Pacific Ocean.
Opportunities that drew settlers to the west included farming in fertile soil, entering the fur trade and trading with foreign nations

3. Manifest Destiny If elected, James Polk promised to:
Annex Texas and the Oregon Territory
Buy California from Mexico
Mexico previously owned the land that became Texas and California

4. War with Mexico
The US and Mexico disputed the border of some land along the Nueces River
In 1846 the US sent troops to the border and waited for Mexican troops to fire first
When news of an attack reached Washington DC, Congress declared war
After gaining independence from Mexico, California was known as the Bear Flag Republic

5. The War with Mexico
War continued with Mexico until US troops marched into Mexico and captured Mexico City
Mexican leader’s were compelled to sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

6. The Treaty Treaty provisions Cost:
US Acquired over 1 mil. sq. mi. of territory
CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM & parts of CO, WY
Rio Grande River is southern Texas border
US paid Mexico $15 million and took over $3.25 million in debts owed to US citizens
Cost:
$18.25 million
12,000 American lives
New arguments that will begin to surface regarding slavery

8. New Territories: Slave or Free?
Popular Sovereignty – settlers in the territories decide whether they want to be a slave state or a free state
Gold Rush boosted California’s population
CA applied to enter union as free state
Current balance was 15 to 15 – CA would tip scale
South would lose power in Senate and feared slavery would be outlawed
South started threatening secession

9. Compromise of 1850

11. Fugitive Slave Act
Slave holder or slave catcher only had to point out an alleged runaway
No way to prove otherwise- couldn’t testify
An affidavit proclaiming escape or testimony by white witnesses was enough to send prisoner south to slavery
Federal commissioners were paid $10 rule in favor of slave owner and $5 for ruling in favor of accused
Required federal marshals to assist slave catchers
Could deputize citizens

13. Underground Railroad
Network of abolitionists who helped slaves escape to the North
Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave who led many slaves to freedom

15. Transcontinental Railroad
A railroad stretching from the east coast to the west coast
Another disagreement between North and South….
South wanted route from New Orleans
North wanted route from Chicago and through territory to be called Nebraska
Another argument over slavery in the territories
South wanted Miss. Comp repealed
North wanted Popular Sovereignty to prevail in Nebraska

17. Kansas- Nebraska Act The Kansas Nebraska Act:
Repealed the Missouri Compromise
Made popular sovereignty the way in which slavery was determined in Kansas/Nebraska
Without this compromise the South threatened to secede from the Union

19. What happens next?
The slave crisis deepens and we are on the verge of civil war