The Compromise of 1850 was a package of five legislative measures aimed at easing the tensions between slave and free states following the Mexican-American War. Here are the key components of the Compromise:
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California Admission: California was admitted to the Union as a free state, which upset the balance between free and slave states.
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New Mexico and Utah Territories: The territories of New Mexico and Utah were organized with the principle of popular sovereignty, meaning the settlers in those territories would decide whether to allow slavery.
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Texas Border and Debt: Texas relinquished its claims to land in present-day New Mexico in exchange for federal assumption of its public debt.
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Fugitive Slave Act: A stricter Fugitive Slave Law was enacted, requiring citizens to assist in the recovery of escaped slaves and imposing heavy penalties on those who aided in their escape.
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Abolition of Slave Trade in Washington, D.C.: The slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in the District of Columbia.
The Compromise of 1850 aimed to maintain balance and peace between the North and South but ultimately only provided temporary relief to the escalating tensions over slavery in the United States.
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