New Territories

The Northern and Southern states, and their representatives, tried to reach compromise on the issue of slavery in the newly acquired territories following the Mexican War.  The threat of extension of slavery into these new territories provoked renewed hostilities between the North and South.  Anti-slavery forces looked to the Wilmot Proviso proposed bill that stated no newly acquired territory should be open to slavery) as their model.  Pro-slavery groups opposed this view and stood firm on the idea that each state or territory should decide for themselves, except of course, in matters regarding the furtive slave laws.   In 1849, when California sought admittance into the union as a free state, once again the North and South were at odds.  Adding to the friction was the conflict over the boundary of Texas and the fugitive slave law.