In this lecture, Professor Bright discuss some of the controversies, conflicts and compromises that led to the American civil war. In 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico. Though the war was a short one, lasting less than six months, it had a long-lasting effect on the country (YaleCourses 2008). The Mexican War left its mark on both sides of the border and shaped several major events in United States history such as the concept of Manifest Destiny and territories acquired during the Spanish-American War (YaleCourses 2008). The Mexican War also set the stage for the Compromise of 1850 (also known as the Gadsden Purchase) which reflected the political climate of the country at the time; a Democratic Party was in power and trying to maintain Southern dominance. The Compromise, in which California was purchased from Mexico for $30 million and New Mexico and Utah were admitted as states for $10 million respectively, angered many northerners who felt that the purchase was too cheap. However, both territories were seen as vital to protecting America’s western frontier from possible encroachment by foreign powers. The Compromise also reflected a shift in Southern politics during this time; expansionist ideas had changed into more conciliatory stances.

I also learnt that the Mexican War was at least partially instigated by American expansionists who had long advocated for a southern route to California (YaleCourses 2008). In the 1830s, American settlers migrated across the country in large numbers, many eventually arriving in Texas. By 1836, war broke out between Texas and Mexico and resulted in an independent Texas. The former Mexican territory still claimed a great deal of land that it considered its own. These new Texans feared that they would not be able to maintain their freedom, so they sent Sam Houston to Washington to petition for annexation.

The lecture also made me understand the impact of Frederick Douglass’s speech that was made on July 5th, 1852 at Rochester, New York in commemoration of American Independence Day. The speech was an address about the meaning black Americans attached that day. In his speech, Douglass made a comparison between their freedom and that of America – slavery and liberty (YaleCourses 2008). He spoke about how African-Americans were unable to enjoy full equality with white Americans amidst the entire nation because they were enslaved as laborers and that they were still suffering from its consequences even after abolition. Douglass’s speech was important because it identifies the problem of racism that has been suffered by African-Americans and calls for change. In addition, it provided a platform where African-Americans could gain their independence from white oppression, not only by slavery but by racism as well.

I agree that slavery did not directly influence the civil war; but it was only used as an excuse by the states to gain their personal interests. Slave-owners in southern states saw slavery as an essential part of their living economy when they found out about their growing population with no prospect for agricultural prosperity or industrial advancement. Without the economy of slave-owners, the south would have no revenue to support itself. As a result, the southern states wanted to expand slavery in order to grow their economy (YaleCourses 2008). Furthermore, the north did not want slavery to expand into their western territory because it was against their antislavery doctrines. Surprised by this sudden change of view from northerners on why they were going to war; southerners were shocked and angered that their fellow colonial brother would turn against them now that they needed each other most. The South offered the North an enormous amount of compensation. All they wanted was access to western territories. I liked the lecture because it helped me understand the Mexican war and the compromise of 1850, as well as the issue of slavery expansion into the western territories.

References

YaleCourses. (2008 November, 21). Expansion and Slavery: Legacies of the Mexican War and the Compromise of 1850. [Video file]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/8bzOIn2WVAw