Compromise of 1850: Main Idea
Compromise of 1850: Main Idea
We've Got 99 Problems and They're Mostly About Slavery
The Compromise of 1850 was meant to deal with new territory in the West without the country falling apart over the issue of slavery. To let California become a state without slavery, and to make Texas a little smaller, the North had to give the South something in return.
The main concessions were money (to Texas) and a much stronger law to deal with runaway slaves. The Compromise also organized the territories of Utah and New Mexico (deliberately sidestepping the slavery question), and banned the slave trade in D.C.
That's why it's called a compromise.
Questions
- Why would new western territory cause tension over slavery?
- What recent major event would have brought up questions of Texas' boundaries?
- What do you think both the North and South were trying to achieve in the Compromise?
- How was the Compromise of 1850 a compromise? Are there any ways it isn't?
Chew On This
The new congressional policy of not dictating slavery in new territories was just a cop-out to force other people to make some of the controversial decisions.
It sure wasn't a compromise for the people most affected: slaves.
Quotes
Quote #1
And be it further enacted, That no citizen of the United States shall be deprived of his life, liberty, or property, in said Territory, except by the judgment of his peers and the laws of the land. (Texas.Section 19.1)
Sounds like someone is trying to echo the Declaration of Independence in this statement about the Texas Territory. Of course, there are limits to who's considered a "citizen" (remember this is pre-Civil War, so basically white people), but clearly it's important for these congressmen to maintain the basic ideals of the American system in this new land they've acquired.
Quote #2
[…] the State of California shall be one, and is hereby declared to be one, of the United States of America, and admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States in all respects whatever. (California.Section 1.1)
California started all the trouble when it applied for statehood as a free state. That mischievous California—it's always been on the forefront of making trouble.
Quote #3
[…] when admitted as a State, the said Territory, or any portion of the same, shall be received into the Union, with or without slavery, as their constitution may prescribe at the time of their admission. (Utah.Section 1.2)
This sentence sums up the idea of "popular sovereignty," Stephen Douglas' brainchild. Instead of Congress choosing whether or not slavery should be allowed to spread into Utah and New Mexico, the people in the states themselves will decide. In the case of the Compromise, two of the states (Texas and California) were already decided, but Utah and New Mexico got to make up their own minds.
Quote #4
[…] any justice of the peace, or other magistrate of any of the United States, may exercise in respect to offenders for any crime or offence against the United States, by arresting, imprisoning, or bailing the same under and by virtue of the thirty-third section of the act of the twenty-fourth of September seventeen hundred and eighty nine […] and are hereby, authorized and required to exercise and discharge all the powers and duties conferred by this act […].all good citizens are hereby commanded to aid and assist in the prompt and efficient execution of this law, whenever their services may he required, as aforesaid, for that purpose. (Fugitive Slave Act.Section 1.1, Fugitive Slave Act.Section 5.2)
One of things about the updated Fugitive Slave Act was its more aggressive requirements for regular citizens to be a part of its machinery. Northerners did not like the idea. As mentioned here, there was an existing Fugitive Slave Act, but northerners could avoid it and help runaway slaves without too much worry. Now, they could be drafted into a slave-hunting party and face heavy fines if they refused.
Quote #5
…from and after the first day of January, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, it shall not be lawful to bring into the District of Columbia any slave whatever, for the purpose of being sold, or for the purpose of being placed in depot, to be subsequently transferred to any other State or place to be sold as merchandize. And if any slave shall be brought into the said District by its owner, or by the authority or consent of its owner, contrary to the provisions of this act, such slave shall thereupon become liberated and free. (DC Slave Trade.Section 1.1-2)
D.C. had one of the largest slave depots in the country (source). While Congress was already on the subject of slavery, why not take the opportunity to fix this problem too? Doesn't really have anything to do with the western territory, but if the North had to deal with the new Fugitive Slave Act, at least there's some good news for them. But not for the slaves: slavery itself was still permitted, just not the buying and selling of human beings.