The Compromise of 1850 6

Until 1845, it seemed slavery would remain limited to existing areas due to the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Many Northerners believed that restricting its spread would lead to slavery's decline. They referenced Washington and Jefferson's statements and the 1787 Ordinance, which banned slavery in the Northwest. Texas entered the Union as a slave state, while California, New Mexico, and Utah did not have slavery, leading to fierce debates about their status. Southerners wanted all new lands to allow slavery, while antislavery Northerners sought to close them to it. Moderates suggested extending the Missouri Compromise line or allowing "popular sovereignty," letting settlers decide on slavery.

In 1848, around 300,000 men voted for the Free Soil Party, promoting limiting slavery. The discovery of gold in California in January 1848 prompted a rush of settlers, and Congress needed to act quickly. Henry Clay proposed a compromise that included making California a free state, organizing New Mexico and Utah without mentioning slavery, and enacting the Fugitive Slave Act. The compromise temporarily eased tensions, but the Fugitive Slave Law stirred strong opposition in the North, leading to more resistance against slavery.