Reactions
When the document was leaked, it was explained as an attempt at American expansion and supporting the Monroe Doctrine, which was a US policy opposing European Colonialism. Free- soil and Republican parties, however, were angered, as they saw this as a back- handed attempt at expansion of slavery. The Ostend Manifesto was also destroyed by the Kansas- Nebraska Act, which both the South and North supported.
The Ostend Manifesto was declared unconstitutional since it violated the new Fugitive Slave Act that was passed in the compromise of 1850, thus, the US was unable to acquire Cuba.
The Fugitive Slave Act required that the US government consistently try to capture slaves that escaped from their owners.
The Kansas- Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise if 1820 and applied the principle of popular sovereignty.
Reactions & Results
Primary source political cartoons
The "Ostend Doctrine"
This political cartoon targets Buchanan. It portrays Buchanan being targeted by four robbers, who "ask" for his belongings. The robbers quote phrases from the Ostend Manifesto, which is shown to the left of the cartoon. This cartoon is meant to illustrate how the Ostend Manifesto is nothing but forceful robbery from Spain, in which America "asks" for Cuba.
The Bewildered Old Woman
This political cartoon illustrates Buchanan as a "bewildered old woman" who doesn't know what to do with the Ostend Manifesto and the issues with Cuba. It's meant to illustrate how incapable Buchanan is as a leader and how the Ostend Manifesto is an effort that was made out of confusion and ill- planning.
Results
Even though the Proposal never went in action, there were still many lasting effects.
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Pierce fell far out of favor and did not return for reelection in 1856.
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The relationship between Europe and America suffered
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Initiatives for expansion for the rest of Pierce's term were halted
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The Democratic Party was torn by the secrecy of this document, many people turning to Republican parties.
The Ostend Manifesto is an example of a power struggle between the North and the South. It eventually split the Democratic party and outraged the Free- Soil party, leading to rising tension that will contribute to the progression of the Civil War.