United States History Student Edition

03 Slavery: Compromise and Challenges

Political Conflict Over Slavery GUIDING QUESTION

READING STRATEGY Integrating Knowledge and Ideas As you read, use a diagram like this one to identify important changes in U.S. politics, territory, and slavery.

What political compromises were made because of slavery? The question of slavery had long fueled debate in the United States. Each time the debate flared, the nation’s leaders struck some form of compromise. For example, in 1820 the debate over slavery resulted in the Missouri Compromise, which preserved the balance between slave states and free states in the Senate and settled the slavery question until the next crisis arose. Slavery in New Territories In the 1840s, the debate over slavery in new territories erupted again. Democrats nominated James K. Polk of Tennessee for president in 1844 and called for Texas annexation. After Polk was elected, Texas was admitted to the Union in 1845. The annexation of Texas angered the Mexican government. Matters worsened when the two countries disputed the boundary between Texas and Mexico. At the same time, support was growing in the South for taking over California and New Mexico. President Polk tried to purchase these territories from Mexico, but he failed to do so. All these issues helped lead to the Mexican War. Soon after the war with Mexico began, Representative David Wilmot of Pennsylvania introduced the Wilmot Proviso. This proposal would ban slavery in any lands the United States might acquire from Mexico. The Senate rejected Wilmot’s bill.

Changes

Politics Territory Slavery

This map from 1845 shows a proposal for Texas annexation that divided the territory into a slave district and a free district. The proposal was passed by the House of Representatives but rejected by the Senate.

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

• SS.8.A.1.1 • SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.4.2 • SS.8.A.5.1 • SS.8.A.5.2 • SS.8.CG.1.3 • SS.8.CG.2.4 • SS.8.CG.2.5 • SS.8.E.2.2 • SS.8.G.1.2 • SS.8.G.4.6 • SS.8.G.6.2 • ELA.K12.EE.1.1 • ELA.K12.EE.4.1 • ELA.K12.EE.5.1

Historic Collection/Alamy Stock Photo

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