5.4: The Compromise of 1850

Question 1

CONTEXT

Answer 1

• 1787: Northwest Ordinance
• 1787: Constitution [3/5 Compromise, Slave Trade Clause, Fugitive Slave Clause]
• 1808: Act prohibiting Slave importation
• 1820: Missouri Compromise

Question 2

SOUTHERN POSITION

Answer 2

• Argued slavery = constitutional right
• Argued Missouri Compromise [1820] had already defined slavery’s borders
• Compromise = guarantee to South that slavery, economy and way of life could continue

Question 3

FREE SOIL MOVEMENT

Answer 3

• Northern Democrats and Whigs
• New territories should be dominion of free labor not enslaved
• Wanted banishment of slavery
• Not morally opposed
• Believed new land should be land of white opportunity w/ no enslaved labor competition
• Didn’t want enslaved or free black people to settle in new land
• Abolitionists also present within this faction
• Wanted ban of slavery everywhere
• Later found Free Soil Party

Question 4

POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY

Answer 4

• People in each territory should decided
• Increased tensions

Question 5

COMPROMISE OF 1850

Answer 5

• War ends
• New Mexico and Cali = free states
• South rises up and threatens secession over threat to Senate balance
• Proposed by Clay
• Mexican cession to be further divided into Utah and New Mexico
• Above to use popular sovereignty
• Cali to be free state
• Slave trade banned in Washington DC
• Stricter Fugitive Slave Law up North
• $1000 fine for aiding slaves
• Beecher Stowe wrote ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ revealing slavery cruelty and immorality