The Compromise of 1850

Slavery Debate Erupts Again

• California’s Impact• 1849 – 15 slave, 15 free states• Oregon, Utah, New Mexico will become

states soon, probably as free states• Southerners feared they would become

outnumbered in Congress• Secession was suggested• Northerners say CA should be free due

to Missouri Compromise

Clay vs. Calhoun

• Henry Clay worked out the Missouri Compromise and was asked to help again• Now 73 years old

• John C. Calhoun• Suffered from tuberculosis – could not

speak loudly• Could not compromise• Fear of civil war first appears• Daniel Webster supported Clay but was

willing to compromise and supported southern demands to have escaped slaves returned

Compromise of 1850

• Calhoun and President Taylor both die in 1850

• New President Fillmore supports Clay’s plan

• 5 points:• 1. CA becomes Free State• 2. Slave trade banned in D.C.• 3. Fugitive Slave Act• 4. Popular Sovereignty in NM and UT• 5. Texas/NM border dispute settled

Fugitive Slave Act

• 1850• Requires all citizens to help

catch runaway slaves• $1000 fine/jail time for helping

slaves escape• No trial• Judges received $10 for

sending slaves back to South and $5 for setting them free

Uncle Tom’s Cabin• 1852• Harriet Beecher Stowe• Tells the story of a slave,

Uncle Tom, who is abused by owner, eventually whipped to death.

• Sold millions of copies, translated into dozens of languages

• Southerners claimed it was not a true picture of slave life

• Changed many Northerners perspective on slavery