HIST 1103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Siete Leyes, Wilmot Proviso
Document Summary
The moral argument (abolitionism: slavery was morally wrong. The economic argument (free labor ideology: idea that if people are paid for their work rather than being forced, they will work. Slavery"s impact on american freedom: it violated the principles of the revolution. Fears of american expansion: mexico gained independence in 1821, wanted to populate texas, create a buffer zone. Slavery permitted: abolished in 1829, texans didn"t pay attention. Renounce american citizenship ad become mexican citizens. Reaction to the siete leyes (seven laws) States were abolished and replaced with military provinces. Texas had largely been ignored and was self governing before this. Accepted the rio grande as the boundary: more land. Polk sent troops into the disputed area. To mexico this was an act of war; they responded by sending soldiers of their own. President polk asked for a declaration of war.
