Reynolds's Political Map of United States; Civil War, 1856 Historic Map

This is a museum-grade reproduction of a landmark map supporting the candidacy of John Fremont. It played an important role in the 1856 Presidential election. It set out dramatically the stakes involved in the potential spread of slavery to the Western states. As stated in the legend below Texas: "N.B. - By the Democratic legislation of 1854, repealing the Missouri Compromise, the institution of slavery may be carried into ALL the Territories - the area of which is greater than the area of all the States combined." The 1856 campaign was dominated by the question of whether or not to repeal the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed new states the option to permit slavery. The Democratic candidate, James Buchanan, supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act. John C. Fremont, a candidate of the new Republican party, opposed the Act, and maps like this one were an iconic feature of his campaign literature throughout, appearing in posters, handbills, pamphlets and the candidate's official campaign biography.