COMPROMISE OF 1850 AND FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW

HOW DID THE MANIFEST DESTINY CAUSE THE CIVIL WAR?

THE BEAR FLAG REPUBLIC 1833 – Mexican Gov. allowed the US to settle in California John Fremont – Occupies California during the Mexican War Settlers revolt against Mexico and declare an independent state in 1846 – USA annexed it

GOLD! AT SUTTER’S MILL, 1848 GOLD! AT SUTTER’S MILL, 1848

San Francisco before the gold rush San Francisco after the gold rush

PROBLEMS OF SECTIONAL BALANCE The Mexican War strengthened feelings of Sectionalism The Mexican War strengthened feelings of Sectionalism Missouri Compromise worked….Until California applied for statehood Missouri Compromise worked….Until California applied for statehood Southern “fire-eaters” threatening secession. Underground RR & fugitive slave issues:  Personal liberty laws

WILMOT PROVISO David Wilmot - Congressman (PA) David Wilmot - Congressman (PA) Called for the prohibition of slavery from any land won from Mexico Called for the prohibition of slavery from any land won from Mexico Proviso was defeated and never passed Proviso was defeated and never passed

What are the elements for a successful compromise?

THE COMPROMISE OF 1850 This Compromise: This Compromise: Admitted California as a free state Admitted California as a free state set the present boundaries for Texas set the present boundaries for Texas New Mexico and Utah - popular sovereignty New Mexico and Utah - popular sovereignty strengthened the fugitive slave law strengthened the fugitive slave law abolished the slave trade (NOT SLAVERY) in Washington D.C. abolished the slave trade (NOT SLAVERY) in Washington D.C.

COMPROMISE OF 1850

THE MEN BEHIND THE COMPROMISE… Henry Clay – Kentucky Henry Clay – Kentucky “Great Compromiser” – his idea “Great Compromiser” – his idea John Calhoun – South Carolina John Calhoun – South Carolina Opposed the Compromise Opposed the Compromise “The South….The Poor South” Daniel Webster – Massachusetts Daniel Webster – Massachusetts Supported the Compromise Supported the Compromise Stephen Douglas – Illinois Stephen Douglas – Illinois Supported the Compromise; helped pass it Supported the Compromise; helped pass it

END RESULT OF THE COMPROMISE North Gets… North Gets… California admitted as a free state California admitted as a free state Slave trade prohibited in Washington DC Slave trade prohibited in Washington DC Boundary of Texas is set Boundary of Texas is set South Gets… South Gets… No slavery restrictions in Utah or Mexico Territories No slavery restrictions in Utah or Mexico Territories Slaveholding permitted in Washington DC Slaveholding permitted in Washington DC Texas gets $10 million dollars Texas gets $10 million dollars Fugitive Slave Law Fugitive Slave Law

FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW ANGERED THE NORTH… Required to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves Required to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves Law enforcement was required to arrest suspected runaway slaves ($1,000 fine) Law enforcement was required to arrest suspected runaway slaves ($1,000 fine) Federal Marshalls involved in Slave catching Federal Marshalls involved in Slave catching No jury trail – Can’t testify No jury trail – Can’t testify Cases were decided by commissioners who got $$$ for returning slaves Cases were decided by commissioners who got $$$ for returning slaves Anyone who helped aid a runaway slave could be punished with 6 months in prison and $1,000 fine Anyone who helped aid a runaway slave could be punished with 6 months in prison and $1,000 fine

ANTHONY BURNS “BROUGHT TO JUSTICE”

THE STORY OF ANTHONY BURNS “Privileged” Slave Ran away to Boston in 1854 Owner can get his “property” back Burns arrested for “robbery” Dragged back to the South A church bought his freedom for $1,300

REACTION TO THE ACT… “The colored men’s rights are less than those of a jackass…A black man maybe carried away without any reference to a jury. It is only necessary to claim him, and that some villain should swear to his identity. There is more protection there for a horse, for a donkey, or anything, rather than a colored man. “The colored men’s rights are less than those of a jackass…A black man maybe carried away without any reference to a jury. It is only necessary to claim him, and that some villain should swear to his identity. There is more protection there for a horse, for a donkey, or anything, rather than a colored man. - Frederick Douglass, Voices from the Civil War

IMPACT OF THE COMPROMISE OF 1850 African Americans African Americans Run away to Canada Run away to Canada Cant build their lives Cant build their lives Fueled Abolitionists Fueled Abolitionists Brought slavery to the Forefront – have to take a stand Brought slavery to the Forefront – have to take a stand Kept the Nation United Kept the Nation United Americans Embraced it Americans Embraced it For now…… For now……

WHO WON AND LOST IN THIS DEAL? End Results of the Compromise End Results of the Compromise Each side got something… Each side got something… Balance of the Senate was with the free states Balance of the Senate was with the free states Fugitive Slave Act pleased the South Fugitive Slave Act pleased the South North refused to enforce the Act North refused to enforce the Act Fugitive Slave Act caused more people to join abolitionist causes Fugitive Slave Act caused more people to join abolitionist causes Intended to be the final solution – but only provided a temporary solution and an uneasy peace Intended to be the final solution – but only provided a temporary solution and an uneasy peace