Overview
This lecture covers the political crisis over slavery in the late 1840s—1850, focusing on the Compromise of 1850 and the prominent figures who debated and shaped it.
Political Paralysis and the Rise of Henry Clay
- By 1849, Congress was deeply divided and unable to elect a Speaker easily.
- Henry Clay of Kentucky, known as the "Great Compromiser," emerged to attempt a resolution.
- Clay had previously crafted the Missouri Compromise and compromise after the nullification crisis.
The Compromise of 1850: Proposals and Provisions
- Clay proposed admitting California as a free state.
- Popular sovereignty would determine slavery in the rest of the Mexican Cession; Congress would not decide.
- Texas’ state debts would be assumed by the federal government.
- Slave trade (but not slavery itself) would be abolished in Washington, DC.
- A stronger fugitive slave law would be enacted.
Major Senate Debates and Key Figures
- The Senate debate of February-March 1850 included speeches by Clay, Calhoun, and Webster.
- John C. Calhoun (South Carolina) opposed compromise, demanding protection of slavery in all territories.
- Calhoun suggested a constitutional amendment for two presidents, one from the North and one from the South.
- Daniel Webster (Massachusetts), previously antislavery, supported the compromise for the sake of preserving the Union.
- William Seward (New York) spoke against compromise, asserting a "higher law" of morality above the Constitution.
Passage of the Compromise
- President Taylor died in July 1850 and was succeeded by Millard Fillmore, who supported the compromise.
- Clay’s original omnibus bill failed; Senator Stephen A. Douglas (Illinois) divided it into separate measures to secure passage.
- Each part of the compromise passed with different coalitions, not as a unified majority.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Great Compromiser — Nickname for Henry Clay, known for brokering major legislative compromises.
- Popular Sovereignty — Policy letting territories decide for themselves whether to allow slavery.
- Fugitive Slave Law — Law requiring the return of escaped slaves to their owners.
- Mexican Cession — Land acquired by the US from Mexico in 1848.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the provisions and significance of the Compromise of 1850.
- Prepare discussion notes on the roles of Clay, Calhoun, Webster, and Seward.