The annexation of Texas and conquest of Mexican territory increased the United States by a third while cutting Mexico's size in half. The Wilmot Proviso attempted to ban slavery in new territories but was blocked by Southern senators ensuring equal representation of slave and free states. In 1848, gold was discovered in California, causing massive migration that increased the population. Settlers in California proposed a state constitution to make it a free territory and ban slavery as 49ers wanted to avoid competition for labor.

1. California Part 2 The Fight for Slavery in California by:James M. McPherson Megan Walsh History 141 Assignment 7

2. The annexation of Texas in 1845 to the U.S & the conquest of the Mexican-American War reduced Mexico by half and increased the U.S by a third.

3. Congressman David Wilmot's “Proviso: :neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory”

4. This Priviso was blocked by the equal representation of the 15 free & 15 slave states due to southern senators. Utah, New Mexico & California=proslavery during the 1850's.

5. In 1848, gold flecks were discovered in the American River.