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David Colbreth Broderick was a voice of reason and unity in the turbulent decade of the 1850’s in the state of California. The bulk of Broderick’s political career was spent attempting to unite the two factions of the Democratic Party. ... The final obstacle was how Broderick influenced United States Senate debates regarding the Lecompton constitution. ... C. and New York City, Broderick embraced the Free Soil faction of the Democratic Party.
Broderick’s alliance with Governor John Bigler was one of the main reasons he was able to seek the Senate position that was to be vacated by William Gwin. ... Disaffection turned middle-of-the-road Democrats away from the Chivalry, and soon Broderick’s wing of the party was strengthened by such recruits.” Broderick and Bigler met numerous times to discuss various political appointments and soon forged an alliance.
The first task of the Broderick and Bigler alliance was to get Bigler re-elected as Governor of California. ... Governor Bigler’s victory put Broderick’s name on the top of the list of potential Democratic nominees top succeed William Gwin in the United States Senate. The mere mention of Broderick’s name sent shockwaves through California’s political parties. Numerous Whigs, Chivalry members, and newspapers were opposed to Broderick. The Free Soil faction triumphed in an election and Broderick earned the Democratic nomination.
Although William Gwin’s Senate term did not end until 1855, Broderick was determined to force an election in 1854. “The Broderick election drama began on January 28, when a Broderick supporter introduced in the assembly a bill providing for fixing of a day on which the legislature, then in session, should proceed to the election of Gwin’s successor in the United States Senate. ... Broderick and his supporters were ecstatic at the results. ...
The result of the election was a catastrophe for the Broderick-Bigler Free Soil party. ... Broderick’s supporters were assaulted and harassed at gatherings. ... The obvious division within the Democratic Party took votes away from Broderick’s Free Soil party. ... “Broderick played a major role in uniting the divided party.” As a result of the absence of a solitary leader in the Chivalry faction, they were suffering from internal divisions which made it very easy for Broderick to take control of the Chivalry.
Approximate Word count = 1775
Approximate Pages = 7.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
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