Chapter 18: Renewing the Sectional Struggle 1848-1854 Flashcards
- Was the Compromise of 1850 a wise effort to balance sectional differences or a futile attempt to push the slavery issue out of sight? Could a better compromise have been met if California had not skipped the regular territorial phase?
The Compromise of 1850 was made to deal with the question of slavery. In 1849, California requested admission into the Union as a free state, which many were afraid would upset the balance between the North and South. In 1850, Henry Clay proposed a compromise to prevent a clash between the two sides. The compromise included many resolutions, including the settlement of the boundary dispute between Texas and Mexico, the amendment of the Fugitive Slave Act, the abolition of the slave trade in Washington D.C., and the admission of California into the Union as a free state. The North undoubtedly got the better end of the deal. With California as a free state, the Senate balance was against the South. New Mexico and Utah were also open to slavery based on popular decision, and were in favor of becoming free states. The South did not gain very much from the compromise. The Compromise of 1850 did manage to balance sectional differences and promote Unity, but only temporarily. It simply pushed the slavery issue out of sight for a while. The tensions were still there. A better compromise probably could not have been met if California had not skipped the regular territorial phase. If California had not skipped, there would have been some disagreement over whether it should become a slave state or free state, and the compromise would still only be a temporary solution.
- Why did the North so strongly resent the Fugitive Slave Law, and why did the South resent northern resistance to enforcing it?
The Fugitive Slave Law caused a lot of Northern resistance because it prohibited the slaves from testifying for themselves, and they were not given a jury trial. Many were afraid that the commissioners would be tempted to keep slaves from freedom because the commissioners would receive five dollars if they set the slave free and ten dollars if they didn’t. This was too much like a bribe for the northerners’ taste. The northerners could also be forced into catching slaves for their southern masters. Many people who were previously moderates changed their position to favor the abolition of slavery. The South was upset because the North was refusing to execute the law, and the Fugitive Slave Law only raised more opposition towards their cause.
- Why was the issue of acquiring Cuba so controversial in the 1850s? Could some of the Caribbean islands or parts of Central America have become incorporated as slave states with the United States? How would American designs for expansion into the Caribbean and Central America effect U.S. relations with Latin America? Did European turmoil in the late 1840s and early 1850s encourage American expansionist dreams?
The prospect of annexing Cuba was controversial because it was already home to many black slaves, and could be split up into many slave states. President Polk offered $100 million for Cuba, but was turned down. Southerners were greatly upset by this and started to pick fights with Spain. Several American ministers traveled to Spain, offering $120 million for Cuba, or else they would seize it by force. News of this deal leaked, and Northerners were extremely unhappy. They did not welcome the addition of more slave states. Some of the Caribbean islands and parts of Central America could have become slave states, but only through much difficulty. The strong protest of the Northerners would have most likely repelled attempts to add more slave states to the Union. If America had attempted to expand into the Caribbean and Central America, relations with Latin America would have become worse than they already were. Mexico was still sore over losing so much territory, and America was perceived as a bully, ready to steal their land at a moment’s notice. European turmoil did encourage American expansionist dreams. Because many of the major European powers were busy with the Crimean war, they were unable to aid Spain, and America could have taken Cuba with more ease.
- Would the sectional conflict have been reheated had Douglas not pushed through the Kansas- Nebraska Act? Why or why not?
Even without the Kansas-Nebraska Act, sectional conflict would probably have been reheated at some point. Tensions were already high, and the conflict between the North and South was unavoidable, even with the Compromise of 1850. However, the Kansas-Nebraska act undoubtedly hastened the coming of the Civil War. Northerners were upset by the act, because they felt betrayed by the Nebraskans, who were their fellow northerners. Also, further compromises with the South would be even more difficult as a result. The Kansas-Nebraska Act drove a wedge of bitterness between the sides.
