-
James Polk was the president of the time who decided war needed to be declared against Mexico for the American blood that had been shed on American land by them. This declaration of war against Mexico caused some doubt among Northern Whigs, but it also gained support from those who trusted Manifest Destiny. This declaration led to the formal entry of the Mexican-American War. -
Scott sends 12,000 troops out to Veracruz as one of the US's first major amphibious landings, and after being there a 20-day siege, the Veracruz forces surrender. From here, the US army moves on to Mexico City, where they fight in many battles: the Battle of Cerro Gordo, the Battle of Contreras and Churubusco, and the Battle of Molino del Rey and Chapultepec. In all three battles, the US was victorious, which led to the troops going into the Mexican capital, ending the war. -
This convention takes place in Cleveland through the support of Fredrick Douglass. African American women started to support women's rights through these conventions. Sojourner Truth was a woman who spoke up about gender equality at this convention and informed white activists that racism and sexism were connected. This convention leads to the Civil War through the growing tension between the North and South through cultural, moral, and political divides. (Varon, Ch.6 pg7) -
This was the last great compromise by Henry Clay. In this compromise, he wants California admitted as a free state, which is a positive for the anti-slavery cause and ends up banning the slave trade in Washington, D.C. But also enhances the fugitive slave law to a stronger law, they create the US Marshal service to track down runaway slaves. -
On March 7, 1850, Webster gave a speech to the Senate that ended up shocking abolitionists. In his speech, he argued for a compromise between the North and the South to preserve the union. Webster felt that the problems that were occurring in the nation were to blame on both sides of the country. With Webster's end goal being to preserve the Union, he ended up siding with the South, which shows how there are some Northerners divided about the ideas of slavery. (Varon, Ch.6, Pg. 19) -
This was the last election in which the Whig Party participated. President Fillmore wanted to be nominated again, but he had mixed opinions in his own party. Southern Whigs supported him due to his enforcement of the fugitive slave act, but Northern Whigs opposed him due to their views on slavery. This led to the election between Franklin Pierce and Winfield Scott and the collapse of the Whig Party. This marked the end of a party that united people in the North and South. (McPherson, 117) -
These campaigns were about the fight for public schools and were causing intense political battles in the Northern cities, specifically in Maryland. They are known as "Free School" campaigns with the idea to protect American Democracy. These campaigns built tension, over power, and the ideas of American Values. The building tension feeds into further divisions, leading the country to become uneasy, ultimately causing the Civil War. (McPherson, 133) -
This act was led by Senator Stephen Douglas. Congress passed this act to invalidate the Missouri Compromise and allow Kansas in as a state, no matter whether it became a free or slave state. One of the main reasons for Douglas to pass the act was the ability to create a railroad (trans-continental railroad), which led to brutal conflict within Kansas and is a preview of what is to come. -
The Fire-Eaters are the southern extremists who were alarmed by the current performance of the Republican Party. They were alarmed that the few Northerners on the Government board had the idea that Southerners are unable to control the administration and only want to expand slavery. This ended up leading to a heavier push of succession from the south. This push for succession led to breakaways and the weakening of national political parties. (Varon Ch.8 Pg. 19) -
Dred Scott was a slave owned by a US Army Officer who would bring him where he was stationed. Scott develops an argument that he brings to the Supreme Court that he has been a resident in both free and slave states, making him no longer a slave. The decision was ruled against Scott by Roger Taney, stating that Scott did not have "standing" before the Supreme Court, and this led to further separation between the North and the South, as well as recognition that African Americans were not citizens. -
This election is the bookend to the decade, and many people felt that the country's future was at stake. This election was an open race due to the previous President James Bucannon not running again. The four individuals running were Abraham Lincoln (Republican), Stephen Douglass (North Democrat), John Breckinridge (South Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union). This election had the highest eligible voters ever (85%) in the United States, leading to Abraham Lincoln's victory.