The Compromise of 1850

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

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

Henry Clay was called upon to develop another Compromise. Henry Clay was called upon to develop another Compromise. He was responsible for the Missouri Compromise 30 years earlier. He was responsible for the Missouri Compromise 30 years earlier.

Pro-Slavery v. Anti-Slavery On the Pro-Slavery side was former Vice President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. He was a member of the Democratic Party. On the Pro-Slavery side was former Vice President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. He was a member of the Democratic Party. The Anti-Slavery side was headed by Daniel Webster of Massachusetts. Webster was a Whig. The Anti-Slavery side was headed by Daniel Webster of Massachusetts. Webster was a Whig.

The Compromise of 1850 Clay’s Compromise had five parts to it and contained advantages for both sides. Clay’s Compromise had five parts to it and contained advantages for both sides.

Advantages for the South 1. New Mexico and Utah Territories will use Popular Sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery. 1. New Mexico and Utah Territories will use Popular Sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery.

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

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

Advantages for the North 1. California to be admitted to the Union as a Free State. 1. California to be admitted to the Union as a Free State.

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

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

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

BY THE NUMBERS

The United States in 1850