chapter 18 notes zachary taylor, millard fillmore, popular sovereignty, compromise of 1850, the...

Chapter 18 NotesChapter 18 Notes

Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Popular Sovereignty, Compromise Popular Sovereignty, Compromise

of 1850, The 49rs, Railroads, of 1850, The 49rs, Railroads, Franklin Pierce, Kansas-Nebraska Franklin Pierce, Kansas-Nebraska

ActAct

Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor

Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor Twelfth president of the United Twelfth president of the United

States. Taylor grew up in Kentucky, States. Taylor grew up in Kentucky, where his father was a moderately where his father was a moderately prosperous planter. prosperous planter.

Despite his family's social standing, Despite his family's social standing, he received little formal schooling; as he received little formal schooling; as a result, his writing was a result, his writing was ungrammatical, and he found ungrammatical, and he found reading difficult all his life.reading difficult all his life.

Poster: "Union"This 1848 campaign poster for Zachary Taylor from an 1848 woodcut by Thomas W. Strong reminded Americans of his military victories, unmilitary bearing (note the civilian dress and straw hat), and deliberately vague promises. As president, Taylor finally took a stand on the issue of slavery in the Mexican Cession, but his position angered the South. (Library of Congress)

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore

Milford FillmoreMilford Fillmore Thirteenth president of the United States. Thirteenth president of the United States.

Unlike most presidents, Fillmore knew Unlike most presidents, Fillmore knew poverty as a boy. Of old New England poverty as a boy. Of old New England stock, he was born in western New York, stock, he was born in western New York, where his father scraped out a living as a where his father scraped out a living as a tenant farmer. tenant farmer.

Popular SovereigntyPopular Sovereignty Also known as "squatter sovereignty," this Also known as "squatter sovereignty," this

was one of several suggested answers to the was one of several suggested answers to the question of slavery in the territories. question of slavery in the territories.

Wilmot ProvisoWilmot Proviso: Answer to slavery question : Answer to slavery question in new territories acquired after Mexican War; in new territories acquired after Mexican War; they would be slave free.they would be slave free.

Popular sovereignty became Democratic Popular sovereignty became Democratic policy, and Cass was the party's nominee for policy, and Cass was the party's nominee for president in 1848. He was defeated, however, president in 1848. He was defeated, however, by Whig Zachary Taylor, in part because by Whig Zachary Taylor, in part because antislavery Democrats bolted to the Free-Soil antislavery Democrats bolted to the Free-Soil party. party.

The Supreme Court ruled in the The Supreme Court ruled in the Dred ScottDred Scott case that Congress had no power to ban case that Congress had no power to ban slavery in the territories. slavery in the territories.

Compromise of 1850Compromise of 1850 Divisions over slavery in territory gained in the Divisions over slavery in territory gained in the

Mexican War were resolved in the Compromise of Mexican War were resolved in the Compromise of 1850. 1850.

It consisted of laws admitting California as a free It consisted of laws admitting California as a free state, creating Utah and New Mexico territories with state, creating Utah and New Mexico territories with the question of slavery in each to be determined by the question of slavery in each to be determined by popular sovereigntypopular sovereignty, settling a Texas-New , settling a Texas-New Mexico boundary dispute in the latter's favor, Mexico boundary dispute in the latter's favor, ending the slave trade in Washington D.C., and ending the slave trade in Washington D.C., and making it easier for southerners to recover fugitive making it easier for southerners to recover fugitive slaves. slaves.

The compromise was the last major involvement in The compromise was the last major involvement in national affairs of Senators Henry Clay of Kentucky, national affairs of Senators Henry Clay of Kentucky, Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, and John C. Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, all of whom had had Calhoun of South Carolina, all of whom had had exceptional careers in the Senate. Calhoun died the exceptional careers in the Senate. Calhoun died the same year, and Clay and Webster two years later.same year, and Clay and Webster two years later.

Continued…Continued… At first, Clay introduced an omnibus bill covering these At first, Clay introduced an omnibus bill covering these

measures. measures. Calhoun attacked the plan and demanded that the Calhoun attacked the plan and demanded that the

North cease its attempts to limit slavery. North cease its attempts to limit slavery. President Zachary Taylor opposed the compromise, but President Zachary Taylor opposed the compromise, but

his death on July 9 made pro-compromise vice his death on July 9 made pro-compromise vice president Millard Fillmore of New York president. president Millard Fillmore of New York president. Nevertheless, the Senate defeated the omnibus bill.Nevertheless, the Senate defeated the omnibus bill.

Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois then split the Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois then split the omnibus proposal into individual bills so that omnibus proposal into individual bills so that congressmen could abstain or vote on each, depending congressmen could abstain or vote on each, depending on their interests. on their interests.

They all passed, and Fillmore signed them. The They all passed, and Fillmore signed them. The compromise enabled Congress to avoid sectional and compromise enabled Congress to avoid sectional and slavery issues for several years.slavery issues for several years.

The Compromise of 1850 helped delay civil war for The Compromise of 1850 helped delay civil war for about ten years. about ten years.

The 49rsThe 49rs It all began in September 1848 when newspapers in New It all began in September 1848 when newspapers in New

York and other eastern cities published letters from York and other eastern cities published letters from California's newly discovered goldfields, telling of nuggets California's newly discovered goldfields, telling of nuggets "collected at random and without any trouble." "collected at random and without any trouble."

So many Americans rushed to California (also men from So many Americans rushed to California (also men from Mexico, Europe, Australia, and China) that, although an Mexico, Europe, Australia, and China) that, although an average of 30,000 returned each year to their homes, the average of 30,000 returned each year to their homes, the state's population by 1852 totaled more than 250,000—this state's population by 1852 totaled more than 250,000—this in an area where there had been at most 14,000 non-in an area where there had been at most 14,000 non-Indians before the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, January Indians before the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, January 24, 1848.24, 1848.

Without gold and its corollary industries, California would Without gold and its corollary industries, California would have evolved slowly, as a territory competing with Oregon have evolved slowly, as a territory competing with Oregon for an annual few thousand immigrants. for an annual few thousand immigrants.

Instead, the Golden State's economy boomed, with Instead, the Golden State's economy boomed, with industrial and agricultural growth stimulated by the great industrial and agricultural growth stimulated by the great consumer markets of San Francisco and Sacramento and by consumer markets of San Francisco and Sacramento and by thousands of miners in camps and towns demanding basic thousands of miners in camps and towns demanding basic food supplies and lumber for boardinghouses and flumes, food supplies and lumber for boardinghouses and flumes, as well as luxuries from champagne to billiard tables.as well as luxuries from champagne to billiard tables.

Gold miners with sluice, c. 1850At first, gold miners worked individually, each with a shovel and pan. By the 1850s devices like the one shown here, a "long tom," were making mining a cooperative venture. Miners shoveled clay, dirt, and stone into a long and narrow box, hosed in water at one end, stirred the mixture, and waited for the finer gravel, which might include gold, to fall through small holes and lodge under the box. (The Hallmark Photographic Collection, Hallmark Cards, Inc. Kansas City, Missouri)


Black miners at the Spanish Flat, El Dorado, 1852The discovery of gold in California brought tens of thousands to participate in "Nature's Great Lottery scheme." This daguerreotype captured a group of black and white miners sifting for gold traces at Spanish Flats in 1852 California. (California State Library)


"California News"A New York paper reported in 1849 that "gold news has unsettled the minds of even the most cautious and careful among us." (Gilman Paper Company Collection)


Underground RailroadUnderground Railroad The The Underground RailroadUnderground Railroad was the term used to was the term used to

describe a network of persons who helped describe a network of persons who helped escaped slaves on their way to freedom in the escaped slaves on their way to freedom in the northern states or Canadanorthern states or Canada. .

The most active of the Railroad workers were The most active of the Railroad workers were northern free blacks, who had little or no support northern free blacks, who had little or no support from white abolitionists. from white abolitionists.

The most famous "conductor," an escaped slave The most famous "conductor," an escaped slave named Harriet Tubman, reportedly made named Harriet Tubman, reportedly made nineteen return trips to the South; she helped nineteen return trips to the South; she helped some three hundred slaves escape.some three hundred slaves escape.

Few, particularly from the Lower South, even Few, particularly from the Lower South, even attempted the arduous journey north. But the attempted the arduous journey north. But the idea of organized "outsiders" undermining the idea of organized "outsiders" undermining the institution of slavery angered white southerners, institution of slavery angered white southerners, leading to their demands in the 1840s that the leading to their demands in the 1840s that the Fugitive Slave Laws be strengthened.Fugitive Slave Laws be strengthened.

Angelina GrimkéBorn in the south to a prominent slaveholding family, Angelina Grimké moved to the north to distance herself from an institution she hated. When she discovered that northerners were no more sympathetic about the plight of slaves than southerners and would not give abolition a free hearing, she chose to do something about it. She toured the northeast, speaking first to groups of women and then to large mixed audiences. She capped her tour by becoming the first woman to address the Massachusetts state legislature. Her courage won new respect both for abolitionists and for women. (Library of Congress)


Uncle Tom’s CabinUncle Tom’s Cabin This novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe did much to galvanize This novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe did much to galvanize

northern public opinion against slavery. northern public opinion against slavery. Uncle Tom's Cabin, or, Life Among the LowlyUncle Tom's Cabin, or, Life Among the Lowly began as a ten-month serial began as a ten-month serial

in the in the National Era,National Era, an abolitionist newspaper, on June 5, 1851. Published an abolitionist newspaper, on June 5, 1851. Published in book form in March 1852, it quickly sold 300,000 copies and eventually in book form in March 1852, it quickly sold 300,000 copies and eventually about 7 million throughout the world. It was also dramatized in 1852 by about 7 million throughout the world. It was also dramatized in 1852 by George Aiken (without Stowe's consent) and had a successful stage run.George Aiken (without Stowe's consent) and had a successful stage run.

The book tells the story of a Christian slave, Uncle Tom, who is sold by a The book tells the story of a Christian slave, Uncle Tom, who is sold by a Kentucky family burdened by debt. Kentucky family burdened by debt.

Finally, sold again, he dies under the lash of the henchman of a cruel Finally, sold again, he dies under the lash of the henchman of a cruel overseer, Simon Legree, who wants Uncle Tom to accept him instead of overseer, Simon Legree, who wants Uncle Tom to accept him instead of God as his master. God as his master.

Stowe, a member of a family of abolitionists and ministers, also recounts Stowe, a member of a family of abolitionists and ministers, also recounts the flight of a family of runaways on the Underground Railroad.the flight of a family of runaways on the Underground Railroad.

Many northerners were shocked into a hatred for the institution so Many northerners were shocked into a hatred for the institution so melodramatically described. melodramatically described.

When introduced to Stowe during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln is said to When introduced to Stowe during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln is said to have called her the "little lady who made this big war." have called her the "little lady who made this big war."

The novel also affected the American language: "Uncle Tom" The novel also affected the American language: "Uncle Tom" became an epithet for passive, usually older blacks became an epithet for passive, usually older blacks (paradoxically, considering that Tom will answer to no white man, (paradoxically, considering that Tom will answer to no white man, only to God), and "Simon Legree" became a synonym for cruelty.only to God), and "Simon Legree" became a synonym for cruelty.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher StoweHarriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was historic for a number of reasons. Not only did it help to fire up northern antislavery sentiments, but it also was the first American novel that featured African American characters in prominent roles. It was issued in various editions with many different covers, but most of them featured the lead character, Uncle Tom--another first in American publishing. This particular cover, from an early "Young Folks' Edition" of the book, depicts the stooped old man with his young, sympathetic white mistress. (Collection of Picture Research Consultants and Archives)


Theatre poster: Uncle Tom's CabinWith its vivid word pictures of slavery, Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin translated well to the stage. Stowe herself was among the many who wrote dramatizations of the novel. Scenes of Eliza crossing the ice of the Ohio River with bloodhounds in pursuit and the evil Simon Legree whipping Uncle Tom outraged northern audiences and turned many against slavery. Southerners damned Mrs. Stowe as a "vile wretch in petticoats." ( Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.)


The Over-ground Railroad The Over-ground Railroad The Gasden Act marked the end of continental The Gasden Act marked the end of continental

expansion in America.expansion in America. Route for a transcontinental railroad from the Route for a transcontinental railroad from the

South to CaliforniaSouth to California The Pierce administration authorized Gadsden to offer The Pierce administration authorized Gadsden to offer

Antonio Santa Anna, now Mexico's dictator, up to $50 million Antonio Santa Anna, now Mexico's dictator, up to $50 million for the 250,000 square miles.for the 250,000 square miles.

Gadsden was partly successful. The Senate first turned down Gadsden was partly successful. The Senate first turned down the treaty; some southerners felt the United States received the treaty; some southerners felt the United States received too little land, whereas many northerners opposed buying too little land, whereas many northerners opposed buying potential slave territory. potential slave territory.

The Gadsden Purchase passed the Senate only after The Gadsden Purchase passed the Senate only after administration supporters cut the acquisition by 9,000 administration supporters cut the acquisition by 9,000 square miles. square miles.

For $10 million, Mexico gave up 55,000 square miles in what For $10 million, Mexico gave up 55,000 square miles in what are now southern New Mexico and Arizona.are now southern New Mexico and Arizona.

The nation had completed what became the forty-The nation had completed what became the forty-eight contiguous states, and the Pierce administration eight contiguous states, and the Pierce administration had its only expansionist victoryhad its only expansionist victory. .

But the sectional conflict had compelled the Senate for the But the sectional conflict had compelled the Senate for the first time to turn down a purchase of land.first time to turn down a purchase of land.

Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce 1804-1869 1804-1869

Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce Fourteenth president of the United Fourteenth president of the United

States. Born in New Hampshire and States. Born in New Hampshire and trained as a lawyer, Pierce was the trained as a lawyer, Pierce was the successful builder and operator of his successful builder and operator of his state's Democratic party. state's Democratic party.

He served as a state legislator, He served as a state legislator, congressman, and U.S. senator most of congressman, and U.S. senator most of the time between 1827 and 1841, but his the time between 1827 and 1841, but his forte was political management. forte was political management.

He epitomized much about the new style He epitomized much about the new style of political leadership that developed in of political leadership that developed in the Jacksonian era. the Jacksonian era.

The Kansas-Nebraska ActThe Kansas-Nebraska Act This 1854 bill to organize western territories became part of This 1854 bill to organize western territories became part of

the political whirlwind of sectionalism and railroad building, the political whirlwind of sectionalism and railroad building, splitting two major political parties and helping to create splitting two major political parties and helping to create another, as well as worsening North-South relations.another, as well as worsening North-South relations.

On January 4, 1854, Stephen A. Douglas, wanting to ensure On January 4, 1854, Stephen A. Douglas, wanting to ensure a northern transcontinental railroad route that would a northern transcontinental railroad route that would benefit his Illinois constituents, introduced a bill to organize benefit his Illinois constituents, introduced a bill to organize the territory of Nebraska in order to bring the area under the territory of Nebraska in order to bring the area under civil control. civil control.

But southern senators objected; the region lay north of But southern senators objected; the region lay north of latitude 36°30 and so under the terms of the Missouri latitude 36°30 and so under the terms of the Missouri Compromise of 1820 would become a free state. Compromise of 1820 would become a free state.

To gain the southerners' support, Douglas proposed To gain the southerners' support, Douglas proposed creating two territories in the area—Kansas and Nebraska—creating two territories in the area—Kansas and Nebraska—and repealing the Missouri Compromise line. and repealing the Missouri Compromise line.

The question of whether the territories would be slave or The question of whether the territories would be slave or free would be left to the settlers under Douglas's principle free would be left to the settlers under Douglas's principle of popular sovereignty. Presumably, the more northern of popular sovereignty. Presumably, the more northern territory would oppose slavery while the more southern one territory would oppose slavery while the more southern one would permit it.would permit it.

Continued…Continued… Although initially concerned about the political fallout, Although initially concerned about the political fallout,

President Franklin Pierce gave Douglas and his President Franklin Pierce gave Douglas and his southern allies his support. southern allies his support.

The act passed Congress, but it failed in its purposes. The act passed Congress, but it failed in its purposes. By the time Kansas was admitted to statehood in 1861 By the time Kansas was admitted to statehood in 1861

after an internal civil war, southern states had begun after an internal civil war, southern states had begun to secede from the Union. to secede from the Union.

The Independent Democrats and many northern Whigs The Independent Democrats and many northern Whigs abandoned their affiliations for the new antislavery abandoned their affiliations for the new antislavery Republican party, leaving southern Whigs without Republican party, leaving southern Whigs without party links and creating an issue over which the party links and creating an issue over which the already deeply divided Democrats would split even already deeply divided Democrats would split even more. more.

The railroad was eventually built but not along the The railroad was eventually built but not along the route Douglas wanted and with funds voted by a route Douglas wanted and with funds voted by a Republican Congress during a Republican Civil War Republican Congress during a Republican Civil War administration.administration.

ALL DONE!!!ALL DONE!!!

chapter 18 notes zachary taylor, millard fillmore, popular sovereignty, compromise of 1850, the...

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