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The party was formed around the Wilmot Proviso, failed legislation requiring all territory taken from Mexico in the Mexican-American war be free from slavery. When New Mexico and Utah were opened to the slavery based on the popular sovereignty clause in the Compromise of 1850, the Wilmot Proviso failed.
The party evolved from abolitionists in the Democratic and Whig parties. They came from parties such as the Liberty PartyLiberty Party was a political party in the United States during the mid-19th century. The party was an early abolitionist supporter. It broke away from the American Anti-Slavery Society due to grievances with William Lloyd Garrison's leadership. The Liber, the anti-slavery Whigs, and the BarnburnersThe Barnburners were a liberal faction of the New York state United States Democratic Party in the mid 19th century. The term barnburner was derived from the idea of someone who would burn down his own barn to get rid of a rat infestation. The Barnburners, a radical anti-slavery faction of the New York Democrats.
Free Soil candidates ran on the platform declaring "...we inscribe on our banner, 'Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor and Free Man,' and under it we will fight on and fight ever, until a triumphant victory shall reward our exertions."
They also called for a homestead law and a tariff for revenue only. The Free Soil Party attracted mainly abolitionists from the North and other free states. Their main support came from the state of New YorkNew York is a state in the northeastern United States whose U. postal abbreviation is NY . It is sometimes called New York State when there is need to distinguish it from New York City. History See: History of New York New York was one of the thirteen col, though other states also had representatives.
In 1848, their first party convention was in Buffalo, New YorkSee Buffalo for other places with this name. Buffalo is an American city located in western New York. With about 300,000 residents, it is the state's second largest city, after New York City, and is the county seat of Erie County 6. In the early 20th cent, where they nominated former President Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren Order 8th President Term of Office March 4, 1837 March 3, 1841 Followed Andrew Jackson Succeeded by William Henry Harrison Date of Birth December 5, 1782 Place of Birth Kinderhook (town), New York Date of Death July 24, 1862 Place of Deat with Charles Francis AdamsSeveral notable persons have been named Charles Francis Adams Charles Francis Adams (1807-1886), US congressman, ambassador Charles Francis Adams (1835-1915), son of above, Civil War General Charles Francis Adams (1866-1954), son of above, Navy secretary as Vice President. The main party leaders were Salmon P. Chase and John P. Hale. While winning no electoral votes, they received a minority of the popular vote.