Expansion and Slavery: Legacies of the Mexican War and the Compromise of 1850

Explore a comprehensive lecture from Yale University's "The Civil War and Reconstruction" course, delving into the conflicts and compromises preceding the American Civil War. Analyze Frederick Douglass's 1852 Fourth of July speech, examining the tension between American slavery and freedom. Investigate the Mexican-American War of the 1840s and its impact on the expansion of slavery into western territories. Examine the political climate surrounding California's statehood and the Compromise of 1850. Learn about the Election of 1844, the South's perspective on western expansion, and various plans leading to the pivotal 1850 compromise. Conclude with insights into the Election of 1848 and its significance in shaping pre-Civil War America.