# Free or Slave Soil? The Dilemma of the West

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-journey-into-human-history-6372765/free-or-slave-soil-the-dilemma-of-the-west
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-journey-into-human-history-6372765/free-or-slave-soil-the-dilemma-of-the-west.md
Podcast: [A Journey into Human History](https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-journey-into-human-history-6372765)
Published: 2026-04-10T17:00:02+00:00
Episode link: https://openstax.org/books/us-history/pages/11-5-free-or-slave-soil-the-dilemma-of-the-west
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/69233711/1766960180726_voicemaker_in_speech.mp3
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Duration seconds: 605

## Resource

The acquisition of lands from Mexico in 1848 reawakened debates regarding slavery. The suggestion that slavery be barred from the Mexican Cession caused rancorous debate between North and South and split the Democratic Party when many northern members left to create the Free-Soil Party. Although the Compromise of 1850 resolved the question of whether slavery would be allowed in the new territories, the solution pleased no one. The peace brought by the compromise was short-lived, and the debate over slavery continued. All images referenced in this podcast can be found at https://openstax.org/books/us-history/pages/11-5-free-or-slave-soil-the-dilemma-of-the-west Welcome to A Journey into Human History. This podcast will attempt to tell the whole human story. The content contained in this podcast was produced by OpenStax and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Access for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/us-history Podcast produced by Miranda Casturo as a Creative Common Sense production. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-journey-into-human-history--5860966/support .

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