Growing Tensions Over Slavery

Chapter 14 Section 1

The Wilmont Proviso◦ Proposed by Representative David Wilmont, the

Proviso banned slavery in all territories that might become a part of the U.S.

◦ It never became a law, but it was seen as an attack on slavery by southerners.

Slavery and the Mexican-American War

An Antislavery Party◦ Senator Lewis Cass proposed the idea of popular

sovereignty, which allowed citizens of the territories to decide for themselves if they wanted to allow slavery

◦ The Free-Soil Party was formed in 1848 by anti-slavery Whigs and Democrats. By nominating Martin Van Buren for the presidency, they took votes from the democrats and allowed Zachary Taylor to win the election

Slavery and the Mexican-American War

As the population of California rose, it was debated whether it would be claimed a northern or southern state.

Southern states threatened to secede from the Union because their way of life was being threatened.

Daniel Webster and John Calhoun, two U.S. Senators, debated over a compromise proposed by Henry Clay. Calhoun suggested that secession was the only option.

A Bitter Debate