Wilmot Proviso

Tensions between the north and south continued to grow. The Wilmot Proviso proposed by David Wilmot in 1846 is considered one of the major factors in leading to the civil war. It regarded the issue of slavery in the new required land from Mexico. Wilmot proposed slavery should be ban in the new territory. It passed in the House due to the majority being anti-slavery, but later failed in the Senate because it was controversial and foolish. When word got out about the attempted proposal, the south became more enraged about Wilmot’s attempt and considered it insulting.