1.
Consider revamping this lesson?

2. Attempts to maintain the Union 1845-1854

3. 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

4. The 1850 Compromise Key Words: Compromise Great learning: Even better:
Good learning:
Describe the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
Great learning:
Explain the key features of the 1850 Compromise
Even better:
Decide whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice
Key Words:
Compromise

5. 1850 Compromise What we need to cover
Lead up to the Compromise
Details of the
Compromise
Chronology of the
Compromise
Debate surrounding the
Compromise
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

6. The story so far…
The key issue here is about growing sectionalism between the North and the South, 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 or exaggerate the significance of these in 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.
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

7. The lead up to the 1850 Compromise
TASK: Using pp create a timeline that details the lead up to the 1850 Compromise
Checklist
Wilmot Proviso
Calhoun Doctrine
Search for Compromise + popular sovereignty
1848 Election
Congressional tension
California and New Mexico
President Taylor
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

8. Calhoun Doctrine
Use p 48 to summarise what Calhoun’s ‘Platform of the South’
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

9. The Search for Compromise 1847/8
Option 1 (President Polk’s idea)
Extend the 36o30 line (that had been established during the 1820 Missouri Compromise) across the country,
This idea was voted down in the House of Representatives by both Northerners and Southerners
Pros
Cons
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

10. 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
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

11. 1848 Presidential Election
LEWIS CASS
DEMOCRAT
ZACHARY TAYLOR
WHIG
MARTIN VAN BUREN
FREE SOIL PARTY
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice
Use p.49 to bullet point key facts about each Candidate

12. 1848 Presidential Election
1848 Presidential Election . Copy down this table, and bullet point 3 conclusions you can reach from the result of the 1848 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
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

13. 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?
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

14. 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.
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

15. 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
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice

16. 1850 Compromise What we need to cover
Lead up to the Compromise
Details of the
Compromise
Chronology of the
Compromise
Debate surrounding the
Compromise
DESCRIBE
the chronology of the 1850 Compromise
EXPLAIN
the key features of the 1850 Compromise
DECIDE
whether the 1850 Compromise was a compromise, or an armistice