1. Attempts to maintain the Union 1845-1854

2. Fact Test
You have been given a fact test containing 25 question on America C You have 20 minutes to complete the test.
What didn’t you get – get someone to answer it

3. Mark off in your planner

4. Describe the lead up to the 1850 Compromise
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Describe the lead up to the 1850 Compromise
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Key Words:

5. The lead up to the 1850 Compromise

6. The story so far…
The key issue here is about growing N-S sectionalism and a growing sense of ‘two nations’ with ‘incompatible views’ about many issues.
There had ALWAYS been differences (geography, politics, economics, culture and slavery) but it is important NOT to over emphasise/exaggerate the significance c.1845.
Remember the whole of the USA is based on a series of compromises especially political ones regarding ‘federal power’ and ‘states rights’. There are also checks and balances to stop one part of the system – whether an institution or indeed a ‘section’ IMPOSING its will on other parts.
However by 1850 there seemed to be a very deep divide in the USA.

7. The Search for Compromise 1847/8
Option 1 (President Polk)
Keep the 36o30 line across the continent, that had been established during the 1820 Missouri Compromise
This idea was voted down in the House of Representatives by both Northerners and Southerners
Pros
Cons

8. The Search for Compromise 1847/8
Option 2 (Cass and Douglas)
Popular Sovereignty. Let new settlers (not Congress) decide on whether their territory should have slavery or not.
Pros
Cons

9. 1848 Presidential Election
LEWIS CASS
DEMOCRAT
ZACHARY TAYLOR
WHIG
MARTIN VAN BUREN
FREE SOIL PARTY
Use p.49 to bullet point key facts about each Candidate

10. *Taylor won 8 slave states and 7 free states
1848 Presidential Election . Copy down this table, and bullet point 3 conclusions you can reach from the result of the 1484 Presidential election
Candidate
Votes
Percentage
Electoral College
Taylor
1,360,000
47.5%
163 votes*
Cass
1,220,000
42.5%
127 votes
Van Buren
291,000
10%
0 votes
*Taylor won 8 slave states and 7 free states

11. Address to the people of the Southern States (December 1848)
Read the paragraph subtitles ‘Congressional tension’ on p.50
What was the Address to the people of the Southern States?
How much support did it gain in Congress?

12. California and New Mexico 1849
As a result of the war with Mexico the people living there found themselves under the jurisdiction of the US Government, previously these areas would have been free of slavery under the Mexican Government so no tradition of slavery existed.
Most of those living there regarded slavery as immoral.
The land was not that fertile and unsuited to the cash crops that slaves were used for elsewhere.

13. President Zachary Taylor
In 1849 Taylor had to deal with the problem of California and New Mexico, because Congress had ended its sitting in March It would not meet again until December 1849.
He decided to act decisively…
Got California and New Mexico to frame constitutions without processing a territorial government
He was sure they would apply for free state constitutions
Thought this would protect slavery!
1849 California applied as a free state
Taylor is prepared to admit New Mexico even though it did not have enough people to apply for statehood. It also had a boundary dispute with Texas. (South support Texas, Taylor and North support New Mexico)
Put process of become a state on the board and talk through where Taylor cuts corners

14. Chronology of the 1850 Compromise

15. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS SITUATION?
Tension was growing between the North and the South leading up until President Taylor was prepared to call the southern bluff and, if needs be, take an army into the South to prevent secession.
You are President Taylor. Mississippi has issued a call for all slave states to send representatives to a convention in Nashville to adopt ‘some mode of resistance to northern aggression’. There are fistfights between Congressmen. Southerners are raising the issue that Northern states were disregarding the Fugitive Slave Law of More and more southerners are beginning to talk of secession.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS SITUATION?
OPTION A
I am not to bothered if the South secede. Do not retaliate and if they secede, may that be the case!
OPTION B
I am prepared to call the southern bluff and, if needs be, take an army into the South to prevent secession.
OPTION C
I am really concerned that the South are going to secede. I will bring in measures to reassure them.
10 POINTS
30 POINTS
20 POINTS

16. In January 1850, Henry Clay offered the Senate a set of resolutions as the basis for a compromise.
California to be admitted as a free state
Utah and New Mexico to be organised territories without any mention/restriction on slavery
Slave trade should end in Washington DC
A more strict Fugitive Slave Act should be passed
To resolve the border issue between Texas-New Mexico, Texas should surrender the disputed land. In return, Congress will assume the $10 million public debt that Texas still owed.
You are 73 year old Henry Clay. You have a reputation as a conciliator from previous crises.
HOW DO YOU REACT TO THIS SITUATION?
OPTION A
Suggest my previous Compromises are following – namely the 36o30 line from my Missouri Compromise
OPTION B
Absolutely nothing, I am tired of being the Compromiser!
OPTION C
Offer the Senate a set of resolutions as the basis for a compromise.
20 POINTS
10 POINTS
30 POINTS

17. The next few months were marked by a series of epic speeches as Clays proposals (rolled into a single bill) were debated in Congress.
‘Old guard’ politicians, making their last appearances on the public stage contributed.
This was also the case for those beginning their political career.
Clay defended his proposal in a four hour speech in February 1850.
Calhoun would have spoken but was seriously ill, his speech was therefore read by Senator Mason.
You work in Congress. You, like many other congressmen have an opinion on this Compromise.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
OPTION A
Make an epic speech in Congress
OPTION B
Stay silent
OPTION C
Fistfight anybody who disagrees with you
30 POINTS
10 POINTS
20 POINTS

18. The next few months were marked by a series of epic speeches as Clays proposals (rolled into a single bill) were debated in Congress.
‘Old guard’ politicians, making their last appearances on the public stage contributed.
This was also the case for those beginning their political career.
Clay defended his proposal in a four hour speech in February 1850.
With every call for compromise, some northern or southern speaker would rise and inflame passions.
You work in Congress. You, like many other congressmen have an opinion on this Compromise.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
OPTION A
Make an epic speech in Congress
OPTION B
Stay silent
OPTION C
Fistfight anybody who disagrees with you
30 POINTS
10 POINTS
20 POINTS

19. President Taylor made it clear that he opposed Clay’s proposals
President Taylor made it clear that he opposed Clay’s proposals. In his view, California should be admitted as a free state immediatly, whilst New Mexico should also come with possible speed. Southerners would have to accept their medicine.
You are President Taylor. How do you react to the proposed bill?
OPTION A
Support the 1850 Compromise
OPTION B
Oppose the Compromise
OPTION C
Have no opinion on the matter
20 POINTS
30 POINTS
10 POINTS

20. DO YOU SEND A DELEGATE TO THE NASHVILLE CONFEDERENCE?
Only nine out of the six slave states send delegates. The fact slave states did not send delegates was disconcerting for those who supported secession. The convention itself also displayed little enthusiasm for secession! This conference had little impact.
You are in charge of a slave state. The Nashville Convention is coming up (June 1850)
DO YOU SEND A DELEGATE TO THE NASHVILLE CONFEDERENCE?
OPTION A
Yes
OPTION B No
20 POINTS
30 POINTS

21. When Millard Fillmore took over as President following the death of Taylor, he broke the policies of his predecessor. There was a wholesale cabinet change (Webster = Secretary of State). Fillmore threw his weight behind the compromise proposals.
Nethertheless, on 31st July 1850, Clay’s bill was defeated because Northern Congressmen voted against it 
You are Vice-President Millard Fillmore. President Taylor has just died of gastroenteritis, and you now take over as President. You are a northeners, but sympathetic to the South.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
OPTION A
Break with the policies of your predecessor.
OPTION B
Keep the policies of your predecessor
30 POINTS
20 POINTS

22. Stephen Douglas demonstrated his political skill
Stephen Douglas demonstrated his political skill. He broke down the compromise bill into its component parts and submitted them as separate bills. This strategy was successful! Southerners voted for the bills they liked, and the Northeners for the bills they liked. Those in the middle (e.g. Douglas) swung the balance.
By September 1850, all of the bits of the Compromise were passed!
You are Stephen Douglas. You are known as the ‘Little Giant’ and replace Clay as leader of the Compromise cause.
WHAT DO YOU DO AS LEADER OF THE COMPROMISE BILL?
OPTION A
Try and get the same bill passed
OPTION B
Try and get each component of the Compromise passed as individual bills
OPTION C
Create an entirely new Compromise bill
10 POINTS
30 POINTS
20 POINTS