Lecture Notes: The Compromise of 1850

Overview

• Context: Post-Mexican War, 1850, period of significant sectional strife in the U.S.
• Key Event: California Gold Rush of 1849 increased pressure over state admissions without a history of slavery.
• Main Issue: Determining the balance between slave and free states in the U.S. Senate.

Key Figures

• Henry Clay: Known as the "Great Compromiser," proposed a package to address sectional tensions.
• Stephen Douglas: Illinois senator and Democrat, pivotal in engineering the compromise by treating proposals separately.

The Compromise Proposals

1. Admission of California
   • Admitted as a free state.
2. Organization of Southwest Territories
   • New Mexico and Utah organized without specific regard to slavery.
3. Texas and New Mexico Border Adjustment
   • Addressed territorial disputes and borders.
4. Elimination of Slave Trade in Washington, D.C.
   • Targeted the abolition of the slave trade (but not slavery itself) in the district.
5. Fugitive Slave Law
   • Enacted a stricter federal law to return runaway slaves; most important to Southerners.

Outcomes and Historical Perspective

• Initial Perception: Seen as a relief and a temporary solution.
• Historical Viewpoint: Considered a shaky compromise that quickly unraveled.
• Impact: Led to further tensions that contributed to the American Civil War.

Additional Context

• Social Dynamics: Influenced various political and social movements.
• Long-term Effects: Despite short-term success, the compromise failed to resolve underlying sectional issues.

Note on Historical Accuracy

• Historical Record: Historians view the compromise as a temporary and ultimately unsuccessful measure.