Pre Civil War Compromises

Missouri Compromise (1820) Missouri wanted to enter union as a slave state Maine wanted to enter as a free state * Missouri Compromise was crafted by John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay. DECISION: Region south of 36º 30’ Latitude would be open to slavery

Missouri Compromise Southern Point of View Missouri crisis reawakened old fears that the North’s point of view represented a critical threat to slavery Northern Point of View Realized that the issue of slavery was becoming more and more of a conflict.

Compromise of 1850 There were several points at issue: The United States had recently acquired a vast territory -- the result of its war with Mexico. Should the territory allow slavery, or should it be declared free? Or maybe the people be allowed to choose for themselves? California -- a territory that had grown tremendously with the gold rush of 1849, had recently asked Congress to enter the Union as a free state. Should this be allowed? Ever since the Missouri Compromise, the balance between slave states and free states had been maintained; any proposal that threatened this balance would almost certainly not win approval.

Compromise of 1850 Henry Clay comes back to the Senate from retirement and with Daniel Webster crafts the compromise. DECISION: California is admitted as free state. Utah and New Mexico are incorporated without restrictions. (the citizens would decide if they wanted to be a slave or a non slave state) Domestic slave trade is prohibited in Washington DC.

Compromise of 1850 Southern Point of View Approved of the compromise Warned that a breakdown of the agreement would result in secession Supported the Fugitive Slave Law portion of compromise Northern Point of View Approved of the compromise Maintained their goal to preserve the Union Did not support the Fugitive Slave Law portion of compromise