5.4 The Compromise of 1850

The Expansion of Slavery and Attempts at Compromise (1844-1850)

The acquisition of new lands from the Mexican-American War intensified the debate over the expansion of slavery.
The Wilmot Proviso, which aimed to ban slavery in any territory acquired from the war, was narrowly defeated in Congress, highlighting the existing tensions.

Advocated for the continuation of slavery and its expansion into new territories.
Argued that the Missouri Compromise (1820) had already established a precedent for determining where slavery could exist.
Proposed extending the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific Ocean, ensuring slavery's legality south of the line.
The Missouri Compromise was seen as a guarantee for the South's economy and way of life, and any attempt to curtail slavery was viewed as a threat to its existence.

Composed of Northern Democrats and Whigs who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.
Desired new territories to be reserved for free laborers, not enslaved people.
Some members did not necessarily oppose slavery on moral grounds but wanted to preserve opportunities for white laborers without competition from enslaved labor.
Abolitionists within the movement sought to ban slavery everywhere, including existing slave states.
Some members of the Free Soil Movement formed the Free Soil Party to further their political goals.

Argued that the residents of each territory should decide the issue of slavery for themselves.
Seemingly a middle-ground position, but it was unacceptable to both the Southern position and the Free Soil Movement because it left the decision to chance within each territory.
Increased tensions rather than resolving them.

The three positions were fundamentally incompatible, making compromise difficult.
The admission of California and New Mexico as free states threatened the balance in the Senate, leading to Southern threats of secession.

The Senate had maintained a balance between slave and free states, allowing each side to block legislation.
The House of Representatives was based on population, giving the more populous Northern states greater influence.
The Wilmot Proviso passed in the House but failed in the Senate due to the balance of power.
With an equal number of senators from free and slave states, any vote would result in a 50-50 tie, preventing any laws banning slavery from passing.
The admission of California and New Mexico as free states threatened to upset this balance, potentially leading to the end of slavery.

Proposed by Henry Clay to address the growing tensions and prevent the dissolution of the Union.
Key provisions:
- The Mexican Cession would be divided into the Utah and New Mexico territories, with the slavery question decided by popular sovereignty.
- California would be admitted as a free state.
- The slave trade would be banned in Washington, D.C.
- A stricter fugitive slave law would be passed and enforced.

Temporarily calmed tensions, but the Fugitive Slave Act ultimately exacerbated the conflict.
The North's general opposition to slavery and the growing abolitionist movement made enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act extremely difficult.
The law required Northerners to assist in the capture and return of enslaved people, which was deeply unpopular and increased resistance to slavery.