The Compromise of 1850

Chloe Davis

8 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers the Compromise of 1850, focusing on the context surrounding it (the Mexican Cession, California Gold Rush, and the resulting slavery debate), the key provisions of the compromise (including the Fugitive Slave Act, California's admission as a free state, and popular sovereignty), and its ultimate failure and contribution to rising sectional tensions. Key figures like Henry Clay and Daniel Webster are also discussed. Finally, the guide provides practice questions and exam tips.

#The Compromise of 1850: A Fragile Attempt at Unity

#⚖️ Context: The Mexican Cession and the Slavery Question

#The Mexican Cession

Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), which concluded the Mexican-American War, the U.S. acquired a vast territory known as the Mexican Cession. This included present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of other states. 🧩

Quick Fact

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ended the Mexican-American War and ceded a huge amount of land to the U.S. This land became a major point of contention regarding slavery.

#The California Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush of 1849 led to a massive influx of settlers into California. This rapid population growth put pressure on the U.S. government to admit California as a state. However, the balance between free and slave states in the Senate was threatened because there was no new slave state ready for admission. This situation set the stage for intense debate and political maneuvering.

Key Concept

The Gold Rush rapidly increased California's population, forcing the issue of statehood and upsetting the delicate balance between free and slave states.

#The Dilemma

The question of whether slavery would be allowed in the newly acquired territories became a major point of contention. This issue was not new, but the scale of the Mexican Cession intensified the debate. The absence of a new slave state ready for admission alongside California threatened the balance in the Senate, leading to the Compromise of 1850.

Memory Aid

Think of the Mexican Cession as a giant puzzle piece that threw off the balance of the U.S. The Gold Rush was the catalyst that made the problem urgent.

#🤝 The Compromise of 1850: A Series of Acts

The Compromise of 1850 was a series of five acts designed to address the concerns of both the North and the South and maintain the Union. Key figures like Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and Stephen Douglas played crucial roles in its passage. 📜

The Compromise of 1850 is a crucial topic. You MUST know the key components, especially the first ...

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