01:512:104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Wilmot Proviso, Lewis Cass, Slave Power
13 May 2018
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Chapter 14 - Slavery and America's Future: The Road to
War, 1845-1861
I. Introduction
Territorial expansion brought the slavery question once again to the forefront.
This volatile issue gave rise to a new political party, the Republicans, and
moved the nation closer to war.
II. The War with Mexico and Its Consequences
A. Oregon
The Oregon Treaty of 1846 established the northernmost boundary of the
Oregon County at the 49th parallel.
B. “Mr. Polk’s War”
After failing in his attempt to buy land to the Pacific from Mexico, Polk waited
for war. After Mexican cavalry struck against an American cavalry unit on the
north side of the Rio Grande, Polk drafted a war message to Congress.
Congress voted in favor of a declaration of war on May 13, 1846.
C. Foreign War and the Popular Imagination
There were public celebrations that accompanied the declaration of war. It
was seen as a fulfillment of Anglo-Saxon-Christian destiny.
D. Conquest
Due to steady progress on the part of American forces, and after a daring
invasion at Vera Cruz that led to the capture of Mexico City, the U.S. was
victorious.
E. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
A treaty with Mexico gave the United States possession of California and the
New Mexico Territory, and recognized the Rio Grande as the Texas border.
The United States agreed to pay the claims of American citizens against
Mexico and to give Mexico another $15 million.
F. “Slave Power Conspiracy”
Many Northerners opposed the Mexican War, insisting that its causes could
be found in a slaveholding oligarchy that intended to ensure the institution of
slavery.
G. Wilmot Proviso
Congressman David Wilmot proposed a bill that outlawed slavery in territories
gained from Mexico, but his proposal failed in the Senate. The Proviso
subsequently became a rallying cry for abolitionists.
H. The Election of 1848 and Popular Sovereignty
Slavery in the territories emerged as the primary issue in the 1848 election.
The Democrat Lewis Cass supported popular sovereignty, allowing Whig
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Document Summary
Chapter 14 - slavery and america"s future: the road to. Territorial expansion brought the slavery question once again to the forefront. This volatile issue gave rise to a new political party, the republicans, and moved the nation closer to war. The war with mexico and its consequences: oregon. The oregon treaty of 1846 established the northernmost boundary of the. Oregon county at the 49th parallel: mr. After failing in his attempt to buy land to the pacific from mexico, polk waited for war. After mexican cavalry struck against an american cavalry unit on the north side of the rio grande, polk drafted a war message to congress. Congress voted in favor of a declaration of war on may 13, 1846: foreign war and the popular imagination. There were public celebrations that accompanied the declaration of war. It was seen as a fulfillment of anglo-saxon-christian destiny: conquest.
