Final answer:
The Free Soilers were a mid-19th century political group that aimed to stop the spread of slavery to new territories, emphasizing the value of free labor and opposing the 'slave power conspiracy'. Their existence and activities demonstrate northern concerns over the economic and political implications of slavery, signifying deepening divisions between Northern and Southern perspectives leading up to the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Free Soilers were a political group formed in the mid-19th century with the aim to prevent the expansion of slavery into Western territories. This group emerged from a combination of disgruntled Northern Democrats, known as Barnburners, antislavery Whigs, and members of the Liberty Party. Their slogan, "Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor, and Free Men," encapsulated their belief in a free labor system, where workers' dignity was upheld, and the potential for economic growth and social mobility in a society without slavery were central pillars. The formation of the Free Soil Party highlights the Northern perspective that growth and democratic values were rooted in free labor, contrasting with Southern views favoring the spread of slavery.Through the Free Soil Party, we can see the broader views of a significant number of Northerners who felt that slave labor undermined the value of free labor and opposed the political influence of what they saw as a 'slave power conspiracy' poised to dominate national politics. The Free Soilers' concern was not primarily for the well-being of slaves but for the impact of slavery on free workers and the political landscape. Their efforts were pivotal during political debates, especially with events like the Wilmot Proviso, which brought the issue of slavery's expansion to national prominence. Furthermore, the Free Soilers' involvement in territories like Kansas, where they resisted pro-slavery 'border ruffians,' illustrates their commitment to prevent slaveholding interests from prevailing.The role of the Free Soilers in antebellum America reveals that the divisions over slavery were not only about moral stances but also about contrasting economic visions and interpretations of liberty and freedom as inherited from the American Revolution. Despite their influential role, the Free Soilers were primarily a transitional group leading up to the formation of the Republican Party and were ultimately absorbed into the larger antislavery movement, which escalated tensions leading to the Civil War.