Rise of the Free Soilers

Rise of the Free-Soilers

Introduction:

The Free Soilers were a simple political party with only one main issue on their platform, an issue that plagued the country of America during the 1800’s and would lead to Civil War. Slavery. The Free Soilers were determined to prevent slavery from spreading out of the South, into the new and forming territories, specifically those in the West. After listening to a class lecture about Manifest Destiny, we learned about the Election of 1848. Zachary Taylor, one of the last Whig Presidents, was competing against Lewis Cass, a Democrat, former Secretary of War, future Secretary of State, and a governor of Michigan. Taylor won, but what was most surprising about the election for me was that another party emerged. Similar to Election of 1828, when the Anti-Masonic Party emerged, the Free Soilers had garnered a lot of support in a short amount of time. Both parties were mostly against one issue, the Masonic Society and the institution of slavery respectively, but were able to gain enormous amounts of support. Yet, the Free Soilers were unfortunately short lived. However, the importance of the Free Soiler Party is, in my opinion, the most important aspect of the Election of 1848, and one I plan to break down for the purpose of spreading knowledge about the party.

Origin and History:

Many historians believe the that Wilmot Proviso served as the point in history where the party gathered support. The Wilmot Proviso was an attempt by a representative named David Wilmot to make slavery illegal in territories gained through Mexico. He attempted to do this covertly, but it eventually failed. Nonetheless, many abolitionists quickly jumped on the bandwagon to support the Free Soiler Party, even the “Little Magician,” former President Van Buren. The Free Soiler party soon gained immense support in the state of New York, and would even be able to nominate a candidate in the Election of 1852, who would lose, but still showed the party’s resilience.

Outcomes and Conclusion:

The Free Soilers soon died out, but their effects on American politics are still felt today. In the Election of 1848, the Free Soilers managed to garner about 300,000 votes (About Education), though a small amount compared to today’s time, back then it was enough to give sway to Tyler, who would eventually defeat Cass for the Presidency. Tyler, hero of the Mexican-American War, chose like many of his predecessors to ignore the issue of slavery, but did not allow it to spread as well, a victory for Free Soilers. Many Free Soilers began joining the newly formed Republican Party, after the fall of the Whigs, lending to the party’s support and its position against slavery. It is through this action that the Republican Party could come about, lending to the separation of powers through a strong and resilient two party system. Lincoln, the first Republican President, would win the election and go to war with the South, eventually leading to his Emancipation Proclamation.

The Free Soilers represented the growing attitude present in the Northern states about slavery, and how many believed it was inhumane and should be abolished. A party was soon formed around this sole issue, and managed to garner enough support to actually have a candidate for the presidency. This task is simply incredible, and shows the growing sectionalism in America. The formation also represents the 1st Amendment, and how despite being a controversial issue, a party was still formed around it, spreading the democratic ideals of freedom and liberty. While many believe that the Civil War was initially fought over preserving the Union, it was still started over the issue of slavery, and the Free Soilers played their part in the conflict and the eventual abolition of the practice.

Source:

http://history1800s.about.com/od/1800sglossary/g/Free-Soil-Party-definition.htm