The Compromise of 1850

The The Compromise Compromise

of 1850 of 1850

Why Another Why Another Compromise?Compromise?

With the discovery of gold in With the discovery of gold in California, so many people headed west California, so many people headed west that California was ready to become a that California was ready to become a state by 1850.state by 1850.

If California becomes a state, If California becomes a state, slave or free, it will upset the slave or free, it will upset the balance of power in the Senate.balance of power in the Senate.

Henry Clay Henry Clay was called was called upon to upon to develop develop another another Compromise. Compromise.

He was He was responsible for responsible for the Missouri the Missouri Compromise Compromise 30 years 30 years earlier.earlier.

Pro-Slavery v. Anti-Pro-Slavery v. Anti-SlaverySlavery On the Pro-Slavery side was former Vice On the Pro-Slavery side was former Vice

President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. He was a member of the Democratic Party.He was a member of the Democratic Party.

The Anti-Slavery side was headed by Daniel The Anti-Slavery side was headed by Daniel Webster of Massachusetts. Webster was a Webster of Massachusetts. Webster was a Whig.Whig.

The Compromise of 1850The Compromise of 1850 Clay’s Compromise had five parts to Clay’s Compromise had five parts to

it and contained advantages for both it and contained advantages for both sides.sides.

Advantages for the SouthAdvantages for the South 1. New Mexico and Utah Territories 1. New Mexico and Utah Territories

will use Popular Sovereignty to will use Popular Sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery.decide the issue of slavery.

2. A new Fugitive Slave Law will 2. A new Fugitive Slave Law will require the return of all runaway require the return of all runaway slaves, even those who make it to the slaves, even those who make it to the North.North.

3. Slavery is still legal in 3. Slavery is still legal in Washington DC.Washington DC.

Advantages for the NorthAdvantages for the North 1. California to be admitted to 1. California to be admitted to

the Union as a Free State.the Union as a Free State.

2. The Slave Trade is abolished in 2. The Slave Trade is abolished in Washington DC.Washington DC.

Bounty Hunters would collect a Bounty Hunters would collect a reward, usually $10 for every slave reward, usually $10 for every slave they captured and returned to they captured and returned to bondage.bondage.

Public ReactionPublic Reaction

The people in The people in the North the North were bothered were bothered by the by the Compromise Compromise of 1850, of 1850, particularly particularly the New the New Fugitive Slave Fugitive Slave Law.Law.

BY THE NUMBERSBY THE NUMBERS

The United States in The United States in 1850 1850