Lecture 46: The Compromise of 1850

Theme: American and National Identity

• Learning Objective:
  • Explain the similarities and differences in how regional attitudes affected federal policy post-Mexican-American War.

Key Concepts

Post-Mexican-American War Issues

• Mexican Cession Controversy:
  • Debate on allowing slavery in new territories.
  • Southern View: Wanted to expand slavery.
  • Northern View: Opposed expansion as it competed with free labor, grounding the Free Soil Movement and Party.
  • Wilmot Proviso: Proposal to keep slavery out of newly acquired territories.

Southern Expansion Desires

• Bound by Missouri Compromise Line.
• Sought more land below 36°30’ parallel for potential slavery expansion.

Popular Sovereignty

• Proposed by Louis Cass (MI): Territories decide on slavery themselves.
  • Neutral political stance for northern democrats.

The Compromise of 1850

Context

• Temporarily eased tensions post-Mexican-American War.
• Appeared after several failed attempts and preceded the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854).

1848 Presidential Election

• Candidates:
  • Louis Cass: Democrat
  • Martin Van Buren: Free Soil Party
  • Zachary Taylor: Whig Party
• Whig Party divided over slavery.

Efforts for Compromise

• Key Figures:
  • Henry Clay and Daniel Webster: Older Whigs, early political careers.
  • John C. Calhoun: Pro-slavery Democrat, conciliatory tone.
  • William Seward: Young Whig, later Republican, anti-compromise.
• President Taylor and Fillmore:
  • Taylor against compromise; died in office.
  • Fillmore supported compromise.

Elements of the Compromise

• Anti-Slavery Concessions:
  • California admitted as a free state.
  • Abolished domestic slave trade in Washington, D.C.
  • Texas ceded land to limit slavery expansion.
• Pro-Slavery Concessions:
  • Popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico territories.
  • New fugitive slave law enforced.
  • Texas received $10 million for land ceded.

Impact and Consequences

• Fugitive Slave Law harshness increased northern anti-slavery sentiment.
• Compromise was not a permanent solution; led to further conflict with the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Recap

• Mexican Cession: Increased discord over slavery.
• Compromise of 1850: Temporary fix, not a long-term solution.

---

• For more practice on the AP exam, visit APushLights.com.
• Stay tuned for the next lecture.