Essay on The Extension of Slavery Into the American West

The prospect of slavery’s extension into the American West most certainly shaped sectional politics by inflaming grievances and tensions, and sparking heated and occasionally violent protests, yet compromise sometimes was reached – occasionally among strange political bedfellows – in the interest of holding off the specter of civil war. This paper will focus on the issues surrounding the possible extension of slavery into the following areas: the Missouri Territory and the Louisiana Purchase in general, Texas (annexation), the Oregon Territory, California (annexation), Nebraska (unorganized), and the Kansas Territory. The initial conflict over the extension of slavery westward focused on the territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase†¦show more content†¦When Mexico attempted to restrict immigration, settlers from the United States continued to enter Mexico illegally. When Santa Anna seized power and attempted to expel the Americans, this led to revolution and the establishment of an independent republic – hoping for annexation by the United States. The 1836 Texas constitution legalized slavery and endorsed annexation as soon as the opportunity presented itself. President Jackson did not act on the question of annexation, however, as he feared it would enflame sectional differences that would compromise Martin Van Buren’s chances of being elected as Jackson’s successor, and would risk war with Mexico. In 1841, President John Tyler (Virginia) endorsed the idea of annexing Texas and Secretary of State John C. Calhoun completed the annexation treaty, but it was rejected in the Senate over fears that the debate over annexation would spark civil war. In the election of 1844, James K. Polk (Tennessee) ran on a platform of annexing Texas but also annexing Oregon to keep a slave-state and free-state balance. In a perverse twist, Free Soilers in New York, angered with Henry Clay because he would not take a stand on annexation, threw their support to a victorious Polk – whoShow MoreRelatedThe Battle Of The Republi can Party Essay1279 Words   |  6 Pagesof this political party ‒ anti-slavery Whigs, former Democrats, former members of the Free Soil Party and Know-Nothing Party ‒ helped to identify their ideals prior to the Civil War. Early ideology can be prominently identified as opposition to slavery and its spread into the West. The 1856 Republican Convention claimed the formation of the party was â€Å"in response to the increasing importance of the slavery issue and its opposition to slavery’s expansion.† Slavery was greatly a moral issue and itRead MoreThe Fate Of Their Country : Politicians, Slavery Extensions, And The Coming Of Civil War1344 Words   |  6 PagesThe author of â€Å"The fate of their Country: Politicians, Slavery Extensions, and the coming of Civil War†, Michael F. 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