1. Topic: Evaluating the role of Sectionalism in the 1850s
DO NOW:

2. Election of 1848 and California
Cass (Democrat) vs. Taylor (Whig)
Slavery issue ignored in the election
Free Soil Party runs
Taylor wins, Whigs in again
Quiet until the California issue:
Gold discovered in Cal in 1849
“gold fever”
Enough population influx to become a state immediately
California wants to enter the union… as a free state!
Taylor supports this; south angry

3. Southern Sectionalism
1850: South prosperous, but still not satisfied
South outnumbered in the House, despite 3/5 comp  why?
California threatened the sectional balance in congress
Where else can slavery expand?
“Fire-eaters”
Runaway slaves, northern agitators
Is slavery threatened?

4. The Union in Crisis Union is breaking down  secession threats
Congress tries to solve the problem
Clay: both sides must compromise
Calhoun: south must be “left alone”
Webster: concessions are required to keep the union together
7th of March Speech
Congress decides on the Compromise of 1850
President Taylor threatens to veto it
Taylor dies, VP Fillmore approves the compromise

5. Compromise of 1850 Northern Gains
California admitted as a Free State
Slave trade banned in Washington DC
Southern Gains Stronger Fugitive Slave Law Western territories open to possible slavery

6. Conclusion
1) Was it right for the North to compromise with the slave South in 1850? Explain
2) Short of abolition or secession, what else could have been done to stop sectionalism?