WILMOT PROVISOBy Abigail Jackson

WHO? David Wilmot – a Pennsylvanian

Democratic CongressmanBorn in 1814During his political career was a

Democratic, Free Soiler, and Republican.Proposed the Wilmot Proviso as a solution to

the slavery conflict of new territories created from the Mexican Cession.

Did not oppose slavery itself, just expansion of it.

WHAT? The Wilmot Proviso

Meant to ban slavery throughout the new territories acquired through the Mexican American war.

Was liked by Southerners but not the Northerners Passed through the House many times, but never the

Senate because of a southern majority. Was proposed on August 8, 1846 Was an additional provision on a $2 million

appropriations bill intended for final negotiations to resolve the Mexican–American War

“Provided, That, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted.” – The Wilmot Proviso, 1846

WHY?President Polk was very pro-expansion and

Manifest DestinyAnnexation of Texas increases conflict and

the Mexican-American War begins Capture of New Mexico and California sparks

debateThree months into the war, the Wilmot

Proviso is proposed in order to determine slavery in new territories.

WHAT IT WAS REALLY ABOUT

Political PowerNever about whether slavery was morally

right or wrongExpansion of slavery would give the south

more power in representationMany northerners thought that President

Polk, his Cabinet and the national agenda had more southern influence and favored the south

THE CONSEQUENCES Division

Further parting of political parties Whigs and Democrats sectional division between

free and slave states Congressional interference with slavery in the new

territories National division (north and south)

Intensified conflict Lead to the Compromise of 1850 Contributed to the Civil War by accentuating

differences State’s rights Slavery Political power and representation

NEW POLITICAL PARTY Free Soilers

New political partyEventually was absorbed into the new

Republican partyConsisted of Barnburners (New York

Democrats), antislavery Whigs, and members of the former Liberty Party

Platform: against expansion of slavery, homestead law, internal improvements and a tariff for revenue only

THE NORTH Insisted that all states should be free, no

more slavery Felt the were being treated unfairly

President Polk seemed to favor the south Didn’t agree with the Wilmot Proviso Compromised on the Oregon settlement with

Great BritainDidn’t seem as if Polk pursued the northern

territory with as much intensity as he used to acquire Texas.

Walker Tariff Reduced tariffs, supported southern

Democrats who had little industry in their district

THE SOUTH Slaves were property and people had a

right to go where ever they wanted with their property

Or Popular Sovereignty

UNITED STATES IN 1848

SOURCES www.americaslibray.gov www.ushistory.org www.wikipedia.com The South and Three Sectional Crises by

Don E. Fehrenbacher Liberty Equality Power: A History of the

American People (Textbook) http://Americanhistory.suite101.com