1. Balance of Power
The divisions in the United States in the mid-1800s were about
States’ Rights and Political Power
Slavery was the face of these differences, but NOT the cause of these differences.

2. North South Industrial Urban Wage labor High Tariffs
Powerful national gov
South
Agricultural
Rural
Slave labor
Low tariffs
States’ Rights (powerful state gov)

3. Congress: House of Representatives: Senate: Every state has 2 Senators
Votes are based on population
Urban North has more votes
Senate:
Every state has 2 Senators
11 Free states have 22 votes
11 slave states have 22 votes
1819- Missouri applies for statehood, threatens to tip power balance…

4. Tallmadge Amendment
Law suggested in 1819 that said: Missouri could only enter the Union as a Free state
Passed in the House of Reps (north had more votes)
Blocked in the Senate (north and south have equal votes)
Never became law
This was a WARNING to the south (they must keep the balance of power or the North would have the power to pass laws against southern interests!)

5. Missouri Compromise 1820 Missouri would enter Union as a Slave State
Maine would enter Union as a Free State
This would maintain the balance of power in the Senate 12 to 12
* 30’ line: and imaginary line drawn across Louisiana territory
North of the line slavery was banned
South of the line slavery was allowed
This kept the country together but few were pleased

6. Gag Rule
The growing Abolition movement of the 1830s pressured Congress to interfere with slavery
Congress believed it didn’t have the power to interfere
During the 1830s Congress tabled all talk of slavery and refused to take up any debate on the topic of slavery
This worked to hold the country together, but only until new Territories were added to the country in the 1840s.

7. Wilmot Proviso
A suggested law in 1846
To prohibit slavery in territories added to the United States as a result of the Mexican-American War
Passed in the House of Reps (north had more votes)
Blocked in the Senate (north and south have equal votes)
Never became law
This was a WARNING to the south (they must keep the balance of power or the North would have the power to pass laws against southern interests)

8. 1849 California Applies for Statehood
Settled during the gold rush
The people of California do not own slaves
Southern states fearing a loss of power reject the request
Dead lock

9. The Senate Debates California statehood
Discuss these questions. Make sure everyone in at your table can answer them from the perspective you have been assigned
How do you think Congress should settle the issue of slavery?
What do you think Congress should do about fugitive slaves?
Should California be granted statehood? Why or why not?
Will the admission of California into the Union keep the country together or pull it apart? Why?