Wilmot Proviso

Definition

The Wilmot Proviso was a proposal introduced in the U.S. Congress in 1846 during the Mexican-American War, which sought to prohibit the introduction of slavery into any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the war.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Wilmot Proviso was proposed by Democratic Congressman David Wilmot of Pennsylvania during the Mexican-American War.
2. The proviso sought to prohibit the introduction of slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the war, effectively creating 'free soil' in those regions.
3. The Wilmot Proviso was passed by the House of Representatives but was ultimately rejected by the Senate, leading to a political crisis over the expansion of slavery.
4. The debate over the Wilmot Proviso was a key factor in the emergence of the Free Soil Party, which advocated for the restriction of slavery's expansion.
5. The failure of the Wilmot Proviso contributed to the growing sectional tensions between the North and South, ultimately leading to the Compromise of 1850 as a temporary solution to the issue of slavery in the western territories.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and significance of the Wilmot Proviso in the context of the Mexican-American War.
  • The Wilmot Proviso was a proposal introduced during the Mexican-American War that sought to prohibit the expansion of slavery into any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the conflict. This was a significant attempt to limit the spread of slavery and create 'free soil' in the newly acquired western territories. The proviso was a key part of the broader debate over the expansion of slavery, which was a major factor leading to the Mexican-American War and the growing sectional tensions between the North and South.
• Describe the relationship between the Wilmot Proviso and the Free Soil Movement.
  • The Wilmot Proviso was closely tied to the Free Soil Movement, which advocated for the restriction of slavery's expansion into the western territories. The proviso's goal of prohibiting slavery in the Mexican Cession territories aligned with the Free Soil platform of creating a cordon of free states and territories to limit the spread of slavery. The failure of the Wilmot Proviso contributed to the rise of the Free Soil Party, which emerged as a political force in the 1840s and 1850s, advocating for the restriction of slavery's expansion as a key part of its platform.
• Analyze the role of the Wilmot Proviso in the events leading up to the Compromise of 1850.
  • The Wilmot Proviso was a significant factor in the growing sectional tensions between the North and South in the years leading up to the Compromise of 1850. The proviso's attempt to prohibit slavery in the Mexican Cession territories angered Southern slaveholders and contributed to the political crisis over the expansion of slavery. The failure of the Wilmot Proviso and the ongoing debate over the status of slavery in the western territories were key issues that the Compromise of 1850 sought to address, with measures like the Fugitive Slave Act and the creation of the Utah and New Mexico territories. The legacy of the Wilmot Proviso continued to shape the political landscape and the ongoing struggle over the expansion of slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War.

Related terms

Mexican-American War: A conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, which resulted in the U.S. acquiring a large portion of the American Southwest, including California and Texas.

Free Soil Movement: A political movement in the 1840s and 1850s that opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories, advocating for the creation of 'free soil' where slavery would be prohibited.

Compromise of 1850: A series of legislative measures passed by the U.S. Congress in 1850, which aimed to resolve disputes over the status of slavery in the territories acquired after the Mexican-American War.