The North was now becoming strongly antislavery. It had long been opposed to the extension of slavery, but was now becoming opposed to its very existence. How deep this feeling was, became apparent in the summer of 1852, when Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe published her story of _Uncle Tom's Cabin_. It was not so much a picture of what slavery was, as of what it might be, and was so powerfully written that it stirred and aroused thousands of people in the North who, till then, had been quite indifferent. In a few months everybody was laughing and crying over "Topsy" and "Eva" and "Uncle Tom"; and of those who read it great numbers became abolitionists. SUMMARY 1. The Mexican state of Texas revolts and in 1837 becomes independent. 2. President Tyler secretly negotiates a treaty for the annexation of Texas to the United States, but this is defeated (1844). 3. The labors of Elijah White and others lead to the rapid settlement of the Oregon country. 4. The annexation of Texas and the occupation of the whole of Oregon become questions in the campaign of 1844. The Democrats carry the election, Texas is annexed, and the Oregon country is divided between Great Britain and the United States. 5. The question of the boundary of Texas brings on the Mexican War, and in 1848 another vast stretch of country is acquired. 6. The acquisition of this new territory, which was free soil, causes a struggle for the introduction of slavery into it. 7. The refusal of the Whigs and Democrats to take issue on slavery in the territories leads to the formation of the Free-soil party. 8. The discovery of gold in California, the rush of people thither, and the formation of a free state seeking admission into the Union force the question of slavery on Congress. 9. In 1850 an attempt is made to settle it by the "Compromise of 1850." THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM OF 1844 CALLED FOR The reannexation of Texas. Texas annexed, August, 1845. Rio Grande asserted as boundary. Disputed territory, Nueces to Rio Grande. 1845-46. Taylor sent to occupy the disputed territory. 1846. Attacked by Mexicans. 1846. War declared by the United States. The reoccupation of Oregon to 54° 40'. Our claims to Oregon. Colonization of Oregon. "Fifty-four forty or fight." Notice served on Great Britain. The parallel of 49° extended to the Pacific. Oregon a territory (1848). The Mexican War. _Taylor_. 1846. Wins battles of Palo Alto. Resaca de la Palma. Matamoras. Monterey. 1847. Buena Vista. _Scott_. 1847. Vera Cruz. Cerro Gordo. Jalapa. Perote. Contreras. Churubusco. Molino del Rey. Chapultepec. Mexico. _Kearny_. Santa Fé. Conquest of New Mexico. _Frémont. Stockton._ Conquest of California. PEACE 1848.