Three Men and a Union
A Delicate Balance 15 free states, 15 slave states Westward expansion + Slavery = Civil War From 1812 to 1850 three senatorial giants were the glue that held the union together.
Is that a Hattori Hanzo sword, Grasshopper?
The West: Henry Clay Whig from Kentucky The Great Compromiser Missouri Compromise Compromise tariff of 1833 Brilliant dancer, gambler, ladies man Engineered Compromise of 1850
1.21 Jiggawatts!
The South: John Calhoun Democrat/Whig, South Carolina The Great Nullifier Constitution protects the minority interest Calhoun’s son-in-law was Thomas Green Clemson (University)
Cheap, Cheap! Fun, Fun!
The North: Daniel Webster Whig, Massachusetts Greatest orator of his day “…the states revolving in harmony around a common center.” Gives in to Fugitive Slave Act in the name of compromise
IF CLAY AND WEBSTER HAD A CHILD….
Compromise of 1850 North: California enters as a free state North: Abolition of slave trade in D.C. South: Fugitive Slave Act South: New Mexico & Utah subject to popular sovereignty South: Texas awarded $10 million in settlement claims
Death of Compromisers Clay, Calhoun & Webster are all dead by 1852 Extremists in North: Freesoilers Extremists in South: Fire Eaters No practicioners of compromise left Guess what happens next, son?!