- The annexation of Texas and conquest of Mexican territory during the Mexican-American War expanded U.S. territory but intensified debates over expanding slavery. - The discovery of gold in California in 1848 triggered a mass migration and population boom, leading settlers there to propose a state constitution banning slavery in order to avoid competition over labor. - Southern politicians protested California becoming a free state, as it threatened the balance of power between free and slave states in the Senate. The issue of slavery in the western territories remained controversial.

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

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.

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

7. Word spread worldwide causing mass migaration & population growth.

8. Settlers in CA proposed a state constitution to be a free territory & included the ban of slavery because 49'ers wanted to avoid labor competition.

10. Senator Daniel Webster

11. John J. Crittenden: believed carrying slaves over to New Mexico or California was no great matter.

12. Senator Jefferson Davis: denounced the Californias fee state constitution seeing that admission of CA as the 16 th free state would offset the balance of power against slave states in the Senate .

13. 1850: Southerners protested CA being a free state.

15. .Repeal of the ban on slavery was the price that Senator Stephen Douglaas had to pay for Southern support of the territorial organization of Kansas and Nebraska.

16. California was free in 1849