Filibustering: A Change in Terminology

When the word filibuster is used today, it is most often in reference to political act of extending a debate in order to prevent a vote on an issue. In nineteenth century America, the term filibuster took on a different tone. Instead, it referred to the violent and treasonous acts by Americans to extend slavery into Central and South America. A major figure in the filibuster was William Walker, “the grey-eyed man of destiny”, who led several filibustering expeditions in Mexico and South America before being executed in Honduras in 1860. Though unsuccessful like the movement as a whole, Walker and filibustering are another example of the violent events concerning the extension of slavery that preceded the Civil War.