Time period 5 midterm review

Free Soilers

In 1848,

organized by anti-slavery men in the north, democrats who were resentful at Polk's actions, and some conscience Whigs. Also Northerners who opposed allowing slavery in the territories organized the Free-Soil Party, which adopted the slogan “free soil, free labor, and free men.” In addition to its chief objective—preventing the extension of slavery—the new party advocated free homesteads (public land grants to small farmers) and internal improvements such as roads and harbors.

Compromise of 1850

This compromise signed by Millard Fillmore deals with disputed territory, and the controversy of whether California should join. The results were that California joined as a free state, and what was left of the Mexican Cession land became New Mexico and Utah, and did not restrict slavery. The compromise benefited the North more than the South.

Fugitive Slave Act

Enacted by Congress in 1793 and 1850, these laws provided for the return of escaped slaves to their owners. The North was lax about enforcing the 1793 law, which irritated the South to no end. The 1850 law was tougher and was aimed at eliminating the underground railroad.

Manifest Destiny

The popular belief that the united states had a divine mission to extend its power and civilization across the breadth of north America.

Underground Railroad

abolitionists secret aid to escaping slaves, a system that helped enslaved African Americans follow a network of escape routes out of the South to freedom in the North