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The Compromise of 1850: A Precarious Balancing Act

Explore the tense political climate of 1850 as J.C. Calhoun advocates for a federal guarantee of slavery, while Henry Clay proposes a comprehensive compromise. Witness the heated debates and the eventual passing of individual measures, leading to a new generation of politicians who would shape the future of the nation.

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The Compromise of 1850: A Precarious Balancing Act

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  1. Compromise of 1850

  2. J. C. Calhoun: “Fire Eater” • “The North intended to make war on a domestic institution upon which are staked our property, our social organization and our peace and safety.” • The only recourse is to gain a Federal Guarantee of the future of Slavery or Secede”

  3. Context of 1850 • Abolition Movement- popular in the north • Pushing for end of slavery in Washington D.C. • California is ready to become a state • Northern States not enforcing fugitive slave laws- (making it difficult for slavers to retrieve runaways) • Northern State legislatures support prohibition of Slavery in territories • Balance of power in the Congress was slipping 15 slave to 15free before California

  4. Henry Clay: The Great Compromiser • Missouri Compromise • Nullification Crisis • Wanted “Some comprehensive scheme of settling amicably the whole question…” • “I hold in my hand a series of resolutions which I desire to submit to the consideration to this body… they propose an amicalbe arrangement…” • “Omnibus Bill”- started a 6 month debate

  5. Clay said • “War and dissolution of the union are identical and inevitable.” • Draw back from the abyss and preserve the Republic as a shining example to the rest of the world.

  6. Calhoun Responds • Said, “Constant agitation of the slavery question have snapped some of our most important cords of unity.”

  7. Mr. Webster • “I speak for the preservation of the Union…hear me for my cause.”

  8. William H Seward- Senator Whig (NY) • The compromise is: • “Radically wrong, and essentially viscous…there is a higher law than the constitution” A moral obligation takes precedence when if comes to slavery.”

  9. Omnibus Bill Dies • All measure could not be passed at once • They were individually passed California Free Fugitive Slave Act Boundary of Texas Texas Debt Washington D. C. Slave Trade abolished Popular Sovereignty in the new Territories

  10. A Generation Passes • Calhoun was the first to go • Clay and Webster followed within 2 years • New Generation: Radicals few compromisers: • Jefferson Davis (Miss) Democrat • Stephan Douglas (Ill) Democrat • Salmon Chase (Oh) Republican • William Seward (NY) Republican

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