The Road to Disunion The Compromise of 1850

Focus Question: “Mexico is to us the forbidden fruit... the penalty of eating it would be to subject our institutions to political death” - John C. Calhoun What did Calhoun mean when he described Mexico as the ‘forbidden fruit’?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Border set at the Rio Grande U.S. gains New Mexico and California U.S. pays Mexico $25 Million How is this poisonous?

GOLD!!!!! Gold discovered at Sutter’s Mill, California – Sparked and international gold rush – Population of California ballooned from 15,000 to 94,000 in two years. California decided to seek statehood

Return of the Slavery Issue Thirty states in 1850, 15 Free, 15 Slave California petitioned to enter as a Free State. Slavery had not existed in territories taken from Mexico – Wilmot Proviso – Whigs Split Conscience Whigs Cotton Whigs

Role of the Missouri Compromise Divided the sections

Return of Henry Clay Proposed a compromise – California enters as a free state – Utah and New Mexico become two territories, free to choose status. – Maryland given veto over banning slavery in D.C. – Slave trade banned in D.C. – Stricter Fugitive Slave Act adopted

Compromise En Route to Failure Northern devotion to the Missouri Compromise Rise of Radical Abolitionists Rise of “Fire Eaters” Prevented any real compromise

Emergence of Stephen A. Douglas Young Democratic Senator from Illinois Took over the role of managing the compromise – Divided it into 7 parts – Brokered support for each Compromise of 1850 goes into effect.

Repercussions Douglas becomes leader of Congress Hardliners dig in Compromise remained fleeting

Assignment For both documents: 1.Identify the main argument of the speaker. 2.Identify three (3) supporting details of that argument. 3.In a short, 2-3 sentence, response, explain if the argument is effective.