1. Lesson 1

2. ANSWER = 8 Think of ANY number
Subtract 1 from the number you have thought of
Multiply that number by 3
Add 12
Divide that number by 3
Add 5
Subtract the originally number you had thought of from that answer
ANSWER = 8

3. The crises in N-S relations we have studied so far…
Missouri Compromise
1820
Nullification Crisis
1846 Calhoun Doctrine
Mexican War
1846-8
1846 Wilmot Proviso
Great Compromise
1850
The crises in N-S relations we have studied so far…

4. Key issue here is about growing N-S sectionalism and a growing sense of ‘two nations’ with ‘incompatible views’ about many issues.
There had ALWAYS been differences (geography, politics, economics, culture and slavery) but it is important NOT to over emphasise/exaggerate the significance of this until c 1850.
Remember the whole of the USA is based on a series of compromises especially political ones regarding ‘federal power’ and ‘states rights’. There are also checks and balances to stop one part of the system – whether an institution or indeed a ‘section’ IMPOSING its will on other parts.
However by c1850 there seemed to be a very deep divide in the USA.

5. By the end of this lesson, everybody will be able to
DESCRIBE the chronological lead up to the Great Compromise of 1850
ANALYSE opinions on what should happen to territory gained from the Mexican War

6. $15,000,000

7. The Search for Compromise 1847/8
Option 1 (President Polk)
Keep the 36o30 line across the continent, that had been established during the 1820 Missouri Compromise
This idea was voted down in the House of Representatives by both Northerners and Southerners
Pros
Cons

8. The Search for Compromise 1847/8
Option 2 (Cass and Douglas)
Popular Sovereignty. Let new settlers (not Congress) decide on whether their territory should have slavery or not.
The Search for Compromise 1847/8
Pros
Cons

9. 1848 Presidential Election
LEWIS CASS
DEMOCRAT
For popular sovereignty
Praised Polk’s expansion
ZACHARY TAYLOR
WHIG
Background/Experience?
Platform on Slavery?
MARTIN VAN BUREN
FREE SOIL PARTY
Who supported them?
1848 Presidential Election

10. *Taylor won 8 slave states and 7 free states
Candidate
Votes
Percentage
Electoral College
Taylor
1,360,000
47.5%
163 votes*
Cass
1,220,000
42.5%
127 votes
Van Buren
291,000
10%
0 votes
*Taylor won 8 slave states and 7 free states
1848 Presidential Election . Copy down this table, and bullet point 3 conclusions you can reach from the result of the 1484 Presidential election

11. Address to the people of he Southern States (December 1848)
John Calhoun
Address to the people of he Southern States (December 1848)
Read the paragraph subtitles ‘Congressional tension’ on p.50
What was it?
How much support did it gain in Congress?

12. California and New Mexico 1849
Previously these areas would have been free of slavery under the Mexican Government so no tradition of slavery existed.
Most of those living there regarded slavery as immoral.
The land was not that fertile and unsuited to the cash crops that slaves were used for elsewhere.

13. President Zachary Taylor
In 1849 Taylor had to deal with the problem of California and New Mexico, because Congress had ended its sitting in March It would not meet again until December 1849.
He decided to act decisively…
Got California and New Mexico to frame constitutions without processing a territorial government
He was sure they would apply for free state constitutions
Thought this would protect slavery!
1849 California applied as a free state
Taylor is prepared to admit New Mexico even though it did not have enough people to apply for statehood. It also had a boundary dispute with Texas. (South support Texas, Taylor and North support New Mexico)

14. Southern Resentment Why were Southerners angry?
How did Mississippi act upon this anger?
Why was Taylor’s hopes of resolving the sectional tension dashed?

15. Lesson 2

16. Where we are so far… Missouri Compromise 1820 Nullification Crisis
1846 Calhoun Doctrine
Mexican War
1846-8
1846 Wilmot Proviso
Great Compromise
1850
Where we are so far…

17. By the end of this lesson, everybody will be able to
DESCRIBE the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
ANALYSE opinions on the 1850 Compromise
Assess the chance of the 1850 Compromise giving lasting peace between North and South

18. 1850 Compromise

19. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS SITUATION?
You are President Taylor. Mississippi has issued a call for all slave states to send representatives to a convention in Nashville to adopt ‘some mode of resistance to northern aggression’. There are fistfights between Congressmen. Southerners are raising the issue that Northern states were disregarding the Fugitive Slave Law of More and more southerners are beginning to talk of secession.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS SITUATION?
Tension was growing between the North and the South leading up until President Taylor was prepared to call the southern bluff and, if needs be, take an army into the South to prevent secession.
OPTION A
I am not to bothered if the South secede. Do not retaliate and if they secede, may that be the case!
OPTION B
I am prepared to call the southern bluff and, if needs be, take an army into the South to prevent secession.
OPTION C
I am really concerned that the South are going to secede. I will bring in measures to reassure them.
10 POINTS
30 POINTS
20 POINTS

20. You are 73 year old Henry Clay
You are 73 year old Henry Clay. You have a reputation as a conciliator from previous crises.
HOW DO YOU REACT TO THIS SITUATION?
In January 1850, Henry Clay offered the Senate a set of resolutions as the basis for a compromise.
Utah and New Mexico to be organised territories without any mention/restriction on slavery
California to be admitted as a free state
To resolve the border issue between Texas-New Mexico, Texas should surrender the disputed land. In return, Congress will assume the $10 million public debt that Texas still owed.
Slave trade should end in Washington DC
A more strict Fugitive Slave Act should be passed
OPTION A
Suggest that they follow my previous ideas – namely the 36o30 line from my Missouri Compromise
OPTION B
Absolutely nothing, I am tired of being the Compromiser!
OPTION C
Offer the Senate a set of resolutions as the basis for a compromise.
20 POINTS
10 POINTS
30 POINTS

21. You work in Congress. You, like many other congressmen have an opinion on this Compromise.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
The next few months were marked by a series of epic speeches as Clays proposals (rolled into a single bill) were debated in Congress.
‘Old guard’ politicians, making their last appearances on the public stage contributed.
This was also the case for those beginning their political career.
Clay defended his proposal in a four hour speech in February 1850.
Calhoun would have spoken but was seriously ill, his speech was therefore read by Senator Mason.
OPTION A
Make an epic speech in Congress
OPTION B
Stay silent
OPTION C
Fistfight anybody who disagrees with you
30 POINTS
10 POINTS
20 POINTS

22. You work in Congress. You, like many other congressmen have an opinion on this Compromise.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
The next few months were marked by a series of epic speeches as Clays proposals (rolled into a single bill) were debated in Congress.
‘Old guard’ politicians, making their last appearances on the public stage contributed.
This was also the case for those beginning their political career.
Clay defended his proposal in a four hour speech in February 1850.
With every call for compromise, some northern or southern speaker would rise and inflame passions.
OPTION A
Make an epic speech in Congress
OPTION B
Stay silent
OPTION C
Fistfight anybody who disagrees with you
30 POINTS
10 POINTS
20 POINTS

23. You are President Taylor. How do you react to the proposed bill?
OPTION A
Support the 1850 Compromise
OPTION B
Oppose the Compromise
OPTION C
Have no opinion on the matter
President Taylor made it clear that he opposed Clay’s proposals. In his view, California should be admitted as a free state immediately, whilst New Mexico should also come with possible speed. Southerners would have to accept their medicine.
20 POINTS
30 POINTS
10 POINTS

24. DO YOU SEND A DELEGATE TO THE NASHVILLE CONFEDERENCE?
You are in charge of a slave state. The Nashville Convention is coming up (June 1850)
DO YOU SEND A DELEGATE TO THE NASHVILLE CONFEDERENCE?
OPTION A
Yes
OPTION B No
Nine out of the fifteen slave states send delegates. The fact slave states did not send delegates was disconcerting for those who supported secession. The convention itself also displayed little enthusiasm for secession! This conference had little impact.
20 POINTS
30 POINTS

25. You are Vice-President Millard Fillmore
You are Vice-President Millard Fillmore. President Taylor has just died of gastroenteritis, and you now take over as President. You are a northern, but sympathetic to the South.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
When Millard Fillmore took over as President following the death of Taylor, he broke the policies of his predecessor. There was a wholesale cabinet change (Webster = Secretary of State). Fillmore threw his weight behind the compromise proposals.
Nethertheless, on 31st July 1850, Clay’s bill was defeated because Northern Congressmen voted against it 
OPTION A
Break with the policies of your predecessor.
OPTION B
Keep the policies of your predecessor
30 POINTS
20 POINTS

26. You are Stephen Douglas
You are Stephen Douglas. You are known as the ‘Little Giant’ and replace Clay as leader of the Compromise cause.
WHAT DO YOU DO AS LEADER OF THE COMPROMISE BILL?
Stephen Douglas demonstrated his political skill. He broke down the compromise bill into its component parts and submitted them as separate bills. This strategy was successful! Southerners voted for the bills they liked, and the Northerners for the bills they liked. Those in the middle (e.g. Douglas) swung the balance.
By September 1850, all of the bits of the Compromise were passed!
OPTION A
Try and get the same bill passed
OPTION B
Try and get each component of the Compromise passed as individual bills
OPTION C
Create an entirely new Compromise bill
10 POINTS
30 POINTS
20 POINTS

27. Statehood for California
Territorial status for Utah and New Mexico (allowing popular sovereignty)
Resolution of the Texas-New Mexico boundary dispute
Abolition of Slave Trade in Washington D.C.
New Fugitive Slave Act
What is the chance of the 1850 Compromise giving lasting peace between North and South?