Events leading to 1850 compromise

• 1848 election: polk decided not to run for a second term, as he gained little support/credit for the mexican war. Democrats nominated 'crass' around the idea of popular sovereignty.
• 1848 election: Whigs nominated war hero 'taylor' , was a slave owner. In north campaigned for 'anti slavery' and south used 'southern rights' (why they won).
• 1848 election: free soil party was formed of some northern democrats, whigs who didn't want to support a slave owner, liberty party - the party supported the wilmot proviso.
• 1848 election: taylor and the whigs won.
• There was tension in congress - ideas around popular soveringty, wilmot and calhoun were consistently debated.
• California (has gold rush) and new mexico (has mormons) - previously owned by mexico, gained in mexican war. Both want to join the union eventually. Main issue was slavery, previously it was not.
• President Taylor is seen as: honest, an amateur and a slave owner. He shunned advice of henry clay (a slave owning whig, known for compromise) and others, in favor of a more radical 'Seward'. He was anti slavery.
• In an attempt to act quickly, Taylor encouraged california/new mexico apply to the union quickly. He was certain they would both vote free. Taylor didnt want to abolish slavery, but also didnt want to rekindle the issue.
• Taylors actions: california then applied as a free state. But new mexico had a boundary dispute with texas. North (and taylor) supported new mexico and South supported texas. Clash between texan and US armies seemed imminent.
• Southern Resentment: south believed neither california/new mexico should be admitted without southern compensation. Led to nashville convention. Divisions were reflected in congress and senators were having fistfights.
• Southern Resentement: North were ignoring the fugitive slave act of 1793 which said slaves who fled should be returned to their owners.