Sectional Struggle (1848-1854)

Popular Sovereignty

  • Doctrine that people of a territory should determine the status of slavery.
  • Appealed to public due to self-determination.
  • Politicians liked it as compromise, but it could spread slavery.

Election of 1848

  • Democrats nominated Lewis Cass, who advocated for popular sovereignty.
  • Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor, avoided the slavery issue.
  • Free Soil Party organized against slavery's expansion, supported Wilmot Proviso.
  • Taylor won, Van Buren pulled votes from Cass.

California Gold Rush

  • Gold discovery led to population surge, overwhelming California's government.
  • Crime increased, decent citizens sought state government.
  • California drafted constitution excluding slavery, applied for admission to Union.

Sectional Balance (1850)

  • South worried about political balance, admission of California threatened Senate equilibrium.
  • Agitation for abolition in District of Columbia.
  • Underground Railroad assisted runaway slaves, angering South.

Compromise of 1850

  • Clay, Calhoun, Webster addressed Congress, seeking compromise.
  • Key Points:
    • California admitted as free state.
    • Territories of New Mexico and Utah open to popular sovereignty.
    • Texas received 1010 million for surrendering disputed territory.
    • Slave trade abolished in District of Columbia.
    • Stricter Fugitive Slave Law enacted.

Fugitive Slave Law

  • Northerners faced fines/jail for aiding slaves.
  • Northerners resisted, increasing sectional antagonism.

Election of 1852

  • Franklin Pierce (Democrat) defeated Winfield Scott (Whig).
  • Whig party declined, sectional political alignments increased.

Expansionist Interests

  • Pierce administration sought more slave territory.
  • William Walker tried to control Nicaragua, legalized slavery.
  • Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850) stipulated neither America nor Britain would control isthmian waterway.

Cuba

  • South desired Cuba for slave territory.
  • Ostend Manifesto proposed purchase of Cuba, seizure justified if refused.
  • North opposed, Pierce administration dropped plans.

Gadsden Purchase

  • Gadsden Purchase (1853) acquired land from Mexico for 1010 million.
  • Facilitated southern railroad route.

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

  • Proposed by Stephen Douglas, allowed popular sovereignty in Kansas, Nebraska.
    • Repealed Missouri Compromise of 1820.
  • Led to Republican Party formation.

Republican Party

  • Arose as moral protest against slavery's expansion.
  • Composed of Whigs, Democrats, Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, and other foes of the the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
  • Became major sectional party.