CRISIS OF THE UNION

Chapter 13 Notes

Election of 1844

Three states affected by the election California, Texas, and Oregon

Texas requested to be annexed in 1836 Opposed by northern abolitionists and

British diplomats “Oregon Fever” led by residents of Ohio

Valley and Great Lakes region. Desire to kick out British in Oregon Terr. and

demanded 54’ 40” as southern limit of Russian Alaska.

Election of 1844 (cont.)

John Tyler wanted to be re-elected as a Whig – but they were displeased with him as he rejected Clay’s American System. Becomes Democrat

Tyler proposes annexation of Texas and seizure of Oregon Terr. up to 54’ 40”

Van Buren (Dem) and Clay (Whig) are opposed to the annex of Texas. Treaty is defeated and spurs debate for

election of ‘44

Election of 1844 (cont.)

Democrats don’t choose Tyler or Van Buren as candidate Instead they choose slave owner and former

governor of Tennessee James K. Polk. (“Young Hickory”)

Polk desires annex of Texas and Oregon “54’ 40 or Fight” is campaign cry

Once again Clay is Whig candidate Liberty Party select James G. Birney

Birney takes votes from Clay in NY. Turns election for Polk

Mexican-American War

Mexico had struggled since gaining independence from Spain in 1821.

When the Texas Republic accepted statehood in 1845, Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with US.

Polk, an expansionist, uses this as opportunity to send troops to disputed region of Texas/Mexico

Simultaneously he sends John Slidell to Mexico on diplomatic mission.

Slidell Mission

His assignment from Polk was to negotiate the following: Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande as the

border between Texas and the United States The purchase of the New Mexico area for $5 million The purchase of California at any price.

Mexican governmental affairs were in turmoil and the Slidell Mission was not received. Slidell returned to the United States and recommended to the president that strong action be taken… 

Taking California

Polk is sees California as a territory he wants.

He sends troops to “protect” Californians in case Mexico shows signs of aggression.

John Sloat (commander of US fleet in Pacific) is sent to seize San Francisco Bay.

Captain John C. Fremont is sent into territory with troops. Shows Mexican troops a force they had not

expected in Monterey

Moving to War

Polk orders General Zachary Taylor to build a fort along the Rio Grande in Texas. Goal was to incite war with Mexico

Troops from both sides engage in skirmish – Polk delivers war message to congress that had been drafted much earlier. “Mexico has passed the boundary of the US,

and invaded our territory and shed American blood…”

Whigs demand peaceful resolution – ignored.

The Fight…

American settlers in California revolt. Fremont returns from Oregon and capture

Sonoma A flag is made showing the strongest

animal in California and the Bear Flag Republic is born.

Sloat drops 250 marines into Monterey and raises American flag

Stephen Kearney is sent to Texas and captures region with little opposition – off to California…

The Fight (cont.)

Kearney loses battle of Los Angeles and San Pasqual (near San Diego)

Commodore Stockton brings reinforcements and the US is victorious as they retake Los Angeles in Battle of San Gabriel River

January 1847, American troops had captured Santa Barbara, San Francisco and San Diego.

In Texas American troops also successful. A new plan of attack centered on being on the

offensive and attack Mexico City. Gen. Santa Anna put up good fight for Mexico

The Fight (cont.)

Several generals and other military leaders that were integral in Mexican War that would end up being on opposite sides in the Civil War.

American troops capture Mexico City in September of 1847. forces Mexico to accept treaty

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed February 2nd 1848 at the small town of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Ratified in March

The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in conjunction with the Adam-Onís Treaty is known as the Mexican Cession. 

Mexico would cede their holdings north of the Rio Grande River. It gave America the land for $15 million and US government agreed to assume US citizen’s debts from the Mexican government.

Wilmot Proviso

The annexation of Texas directly led to the war with Mexico

There was a belief that the war had been a Southern conspiracy to add Slave States

The anti-slavery Whigs grew bold after the mid-term elections of 1846 when the Whigs took control of Congress

Whigs moved to a stronger anti-slavery stance to take focus on their failed economic ideas.

Wilmot Proviso (cont.)

As part of a military appropriations bill (funding for military) David Wilmot, democrat from Pennsylvania, proposed the idea that slavery would be prohibited in any new territories acquired from Mexico. This proviso became a rallying point for the

north who feared expansion of slavery. While it passed the House several times – it

never passed the Southern and pro slavery Senate.

Election of 1848

Slavery was THE ISSUE of the election Polk was exhausted and did not run for a

2nd term. Died 3 months later… Whigs nominate a southern slave owner –

who was a successful general in the Mex-AmWar.

Zachary Taylor (Old Rough and Ready)was silent about expanding slavery in new territories.

Once again a 3rd party will take votes in NY, and the Democrat – Cass loses.

CALIFORNIA

Gold discovered in 1848 remains quiet for a few months and then in 1849 after Polk confirmed the discovery, enormous amount of settlers pour in to state.

Statehood achieved in 1850 during Taylor’s presidency.

No real slavery imported from south to northern California, some in southern California but limited.

California would enter Union as Free State.

Compromise of 1850

With California entering as FREE STATE the balance in congress was upset.

Calhoun threatens secession (again). He presents idea of slavery guaranteed in all territories as well as some “unique” ideas for the presidency. His idea of slavery in all territories goes

against the Northwest Ordinance and Compromise of 1820.

William Seward will present the opposite idea of containing slavery and judging it morally unjust.

Compromise of 1850

Whig leaders Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, and Democrat Stephen Douglas will put together a group of laws that together will become the Compromise of 1850. Fugitive Slave Act California enters as free state Abolish slave trade – but not slavery in DC Deny claims of Texas to land east of Rio Grande River Lands acquired from Mexico will become New

Mexico, and Utah and will determine slavery issue through popular sovereignty

1852-55

The election of 1852 will be the last time a Whig will run for president and the party will split up.

James Gadsden will be sent to Mexico to negotiate a deal to purchase portions of New Mexico and what will become Arizona. This was done in a push for a southern trans-

continental railroad. Ostend Manifesto: a request by French and British

Ambassadors to push President Pierce to obtain Cuba. Leaked to press – alarmed, northern congressmen warn the president to back away from the idea. Causes sectionalism

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Missouri Compromise prohibits slavery north of 36’ 30” line in Louisiana Territory.

Stephen Douglas presents bill in 1854 extinguishing Native American rights to land in central Plains to organize a territory called Nebraska

After Southern concerns the idea would create 2 territories – Kansas and Nebraska.

Additionally, the Missouri Compromise would be repealed.

To encourage Northern support of the policy, Douglas argued that Kansas would mostly be settled by non-slave holders as the climate and soil would not support plantation agriculture.

Passed in 1854

Outcomes

The Act created a new political party from Free Soiler's, “anti-Nebraska” Democrats, and northern Whigs in opposition – Republican Party

Another party was formed competing for Whig and Democrats known as the “Know-Nothing” Party also called American Party An anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant group that

had its origins in the 1830’s they were considered nativists.

Wanted to have a literacy test for voters

“Bleeding Kansas”

In 1854 there was a rush to add people to sway the slavery decision because popular sovereignty would determine the outcome.

Both pro and non slavery advocates descended into Kansas.

Lecompton Constitution created by pro-slavery Missourians was recognized as the state constitution of Kansas.

Anti-slavery forces rejected it and violence broke out

John Brown

A rabid, religious, abolitionist He is enraged when a pro-slavery gang

loots and burns buildings in Lawrence, Kansas.

In retaliation, he and his followers murder and mutilate 5 pro-slavery settlers.

Known as the “Pottawatomie Massacre” it sets off a minor war that kills 200 people in Kansas.

Will not be the only time John Brown kills in the name of abolition…

James Buchanan

Elected president in 1856, a Democrat who defeated Fillmore and Fremont.

Republicans have no support in the South Buchanan was a weak president who stuck with the

dogma of supporting the South no matter what. Dred Scott case comes to prominence in 1856. the

outcome will split the nation. Additionally, Buchanan will encourage Kansas to

enter union as slave state under Lecompton constitution. Congress rejects the idea (led by Stephen Douglas)

The Democratic party will split under Buchanan

Dred Scott Case

Slave moves to free territory with master.

Scott believes that because he entered “free” territory he became free.

Ruling: Dred Scott had no right to sue in court as slave. Additionally, free territory did not make him free.

This ruling challenges and overturns Missouri compromise.

Becomes point of contentions for abolitionists

Election of 1860

The Dred Scott case persuaded many Republicans that the Supreme Court and Buchanan were part of a “Slave Power” conspiracy.

Abraham Lincoln, who had been a Whig congressman and lawyer, had lost the senate seat race in Illinois to Douglas in 1858. It was their debates that spurred much of the discussion on slavery and popular sovereignty issues throughout the nation.

Election of 1860

Once again, the main topic was slavery and its spread and legitimacy in territories and areas north of the 36’30 line.

In the election – Lincoln’s name was not even on the ballot in the South.

Lincoln garnered enough electoral votes from the North to win the election.

Before Lincoln would take office, South Carolina would secede from the union, others would join them and war was close behind…