The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a major turning point in American history, as it temporarily resolved several contentious issues between pro-slavery and abolitionist states. This compromise was a package of five bills passed by the U.S Congress and signed into law by President Millard Fillmore on September 20, 1850. The key issue that the Compromise resolved was the expansion of slavery into new western territories, which had created intense debates in Congress and eventually led to the secession of Southern states in the Civil War.
The Compromise of 1850 consisted of five separate laws, including the Fugitive Slave Act, which required Northerners to return runaway slaves to their Southern owners, and the admission of California as a free state. Additionally, the Compromise resolved border disputes between Texas and New Mexico and established the territories of Utah and New Mexico, wherein popular sovereignty was to determine whether slavery would be permitted.
The Compromise of 1850 was negotiated by Henry Clay, a Whig senator from Kentucky, and Stephen A. Douglas, a Democratic senator from Illinois. Clay was opposed to slavery, but believed that the Union must be preserved at all costs, while Douglas was a strong supporter of popular sovereignty. Southern secessionists, who were opposed to the Compromise, argued that it did not do enough to protect their economic and social interests, stating that it would ultimately lead to the abolition of slavery.
The Compromise of 1850 temporarily reduced tensions between the North and South, but it ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of the Civil War a decade later. The Fugitive Slave Act, in particular, hardened Northern anti-slavery sentiment, as it required them to return runaway slaves to their Southern owners. This led to the formation of the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped slaves escape to freedom in the North.
In conclusion, the Compromise of 1850 was a landmark moment in American politics, as it postponed the issue of slavery for a decade and secured Henry Clay's reputation as the "Great Compromiser." However, it also highlighted the growing tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces and hinted at the inevitable conflict that would dominate American society throughout the 19th century.
Sources:
1. "Compromise of 1850." History.com, A&E Television Networks, 24 Oct. 2019, www.history.com/topics/19th-century/compromise-of-1850.
2. "Compromise of 1850." National Park Service, U.S Department of the Interior, 22 Jan. 2021, www.nps.gov/articles/compromise-of-1850.htm.
Write a report of 250 words on one of the following topics. Use at least two outside sources.
1. The Election of 1860
2. John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
3. Bleeding Kansas
4. The Compromise of 1850
5. The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
1 answer
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