The Wilmot Proviso

David Wilmot

David Wilmot

Polk's Olive Branch to Abolitionists

The Wilmot Proviso was an addendum added to a $2,000,000 request for funds introduced to Congress by President James K. Polk following the Mexican War. Polk requested the funds to negotiate a peace treaty with Mexico. The proviso was attached to appease Northern abolitionists and to prevent the introduction of slavery into any new territory acquired as a result of the war.

Learn more about James K. Polk

The Birth of the Republican Party

The highly political bill caused a major stir in Congress and was never passed in the Senate or House of Representatives, despite the efforts of Northern politicians to re-introduce the bill several times during Congressional sessions. Political wrangling concerning the introduction of the bill resulted in strained relations between politicians in the North and South. The disagreements between Democrats and Whigs over the Wilmot Privoso and the larger issue of slavery resulted in the formation of the Republican Party in Ripon, Wisconsin in 1854.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was the Wilmot Proviso added to President Polk’s request for funds after the Mexican War?
  2. How did the Wilmot Proviso attempt to address the issue of slavery in new territories?
  3. Why do you think the Wilmot Proviso caused such strong disagreements between Northern and Southern politicians?
  4. How did the conflict over the Wilmot Proviso help lead to the formation of the Republican Party?

Polk's Offer to Abolitionists

After the Mexican War, President James K. Polk asked Congress for $2 million to help make a peace deal with Mexico. A part called the Wilmot Proviso was added to this request. It said that slavery should not be allowed in any new land gained from the war. This was meant to please Northern abolitionists who wanted to stop the spread of slavery.

The Start of the Republican Party

The Wilmot Proviso caused a lot of debate in Congress and was never passed. Northern and Southern politicians strongly disagreed about it. These fights, along with arguments over slavery, helped lead to the creation of the Republican Party in Ripon, Wisconsin, in 1854.