#5 Problems Arising from the the Compromise of 1850; 1850 - 1856 - AICE US History 1.2 Part 1

Summary

In this video, Mr. Jeffon explores the widening sectional divisions between 1850 and 1856 in the United States, focusing on the Compromise of 1850 and its unintended consequences. The compromise, aiming to ease tensions between free and slave states, included the controversial Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. This act, which forced citizens in free states to assist in capturing runaway slaves, sparked outrage and resistance in the North, leading to events like the Boston slave riot and the Jerry rescue. The video highlights key figures in the abolitionist movement, such as Harriet Tubman and William Lloyd Garrison, and how their actions and the Fugitive Slave Act deepened the divide, ultimately setting the stage for the Civil War.

Takeaways

• 📅 The period between 1850 and 1856 saw a significant widening of sectional divisions in the United States, which this video series aims to explore.
• 🔄 The Compromise of 1850 was designed to ease tensions between free and slave states by admitting California as a free state, banning the slave trade in Washington D.C., and allowing Utah and New Mexico to decide on slavery.
• 🚫 The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a highly controversial part of the compromise, requiring citizens in free states to assist in capturing runaway slaves and stripping accused fugitives of basic legal rights.
• 📉 The Act led to outrage in the North, with many citizens opposing the enforcement of a system they didn't believe in and questioning federal power over state laws.
• 🛤️ The Underground Railroad became a critical symbol of resistance, with figures like Harriet Tubman guiding numerous slaves to freedom, embodying the spirit of defiance against the Fugitive Slave Act.
• 🤝 The Fugitive Slave Act resulted in direct confrontations, such as the Christiana Riot and the Jerry Rescue, showcasing the lengths people were willing to go to resist the law.
• 🏛️ The Boston slave riot in 1854, following the capture of Anthony Burns, became a national issue, highlighting the federal government's commitment to enforcing the Act despite public outcry.
• 🔥 Abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Sojourner Truth played pivotal roles in rallying public opinion against the Fugitive Slave Act, further deepening the divide between the North and South.
• 💡 The resistance to the Fugitive Slave Act and the increasing divide between free and slave states set the stage for the Civil War, illustrating the power of individuals to make a difference even in the face of adversity.
• 🌐 The story of the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act underscores the challenges of finding common ground on divisive issues and the inevitable confrontations that can arise from such divisions.

Q & A

What was the main issue that the United States faced in the early 1850s regarding the balance between free and slave states?

The United States faced the issue of whether new states being added to the union would be free or slave states, which threatened the balance that had been maintained by the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

What was the purpose of the Compromise of 1850?

The Compromise of 1850 was created to solve the problem of whether new states would be free or slave states, and it was a series of five laws meant to ease tensions between the North and the South.

How did the Compromise of 1850 address the issue of new states being free or slave?

California was admitted as a free state, and Utah and New Mexico were allowed to decide for themselves whether they would allow slavery.

What was controversial about the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850?

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was controversial because it required citizens even in free states to assist in the capture of runaway slaves, stripped accused fugitives of their basic rights, and did not allow a trial by jury or self-defense in court.

How did the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 affect public opinion in the North?

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 caused outrage in the North, as people were shocked that they were being forced to support a system they didn't believe in, and it pushed many to become active abolitionists.

What was the significance of the Underground Railroad in response to the Fugitive Slave Act?

The Underground Railroad became more important than ever as a secret network of safe houses and people who helped runaway slaves reach freedom in the North or Canada, symbolizing defiance against an unjust law.

Who was Harriet Tubman and what was her role in the Underground Railroad?

Harriet Tubman was a former slave who risked her life to return to the South multiple times, guiding over 70 people to freedom. She became known as the Moses of her people, embodying the spirit of resistance against the Fugitive Slave Act.

What was the Christiana Resistance and how did it demonstrate resistance to the Fugitive Slave Act?

The Christiana Resistance was a violent clash in 1851 where a group of African-Americans led by William Parker refused to give up runaway slaves to a Maryland slave owner named Edward Gorsuch, demonstrating the lengths people were willing to go to resist the Fugitive Slave Act.

How did the Jerry rescue in Rochester, New York, impact the public's view on the Fugitive Slave Act?

The Jerry rescue involved hundreds of abolitionists gathering to demand the release of a man arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act, leading to his escape to Canada. The event highlighted the growing divide between the North and the South and further emboldened abolitionists.

What was the impact of the Boston slave riot on the nation's view of the Fugitive Slave Act?

The Boston slave riot, where Anthony Burns was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act and eventually sent back to his owner despite massive protests, shocked the nation and highlighted the lengths to which the federal government would go to enforce the law.

How did the actions of abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Sojourner Truth contribute to the resistance against the Fugitive Slave Act?

Abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Sojourner Truth played a crucial role in rallying public opinion against the Fugitive Slave Act. Garrison's fiery speeches and actions, such as burning the Constitution, and Truth's powerful calls for justice, inspired many to join the Abolitionist cause and deepened the divide between North and South.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Struggle for Balance: Compromise of 1850

The video begins with Mr. Jeffon introducing the topic of sectional divisions in the United States between 1850 and 1856. He explains that the country was grappling with the issue of whether new states should be free or slave states. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 had maintained a balance, but the acquisition of new territories from the Mexican-American War threatened this equilibrium. The Compromise of 1850 was an attempt to resolve this issue, which included the admission of California as a free state, the banning of the slave trade in Washington D.C., and allowing Utah and New Mexico to decide on slavery. However, the Fugitive Slave Act, a part of this compromise, was highly controversial and divisive, requiring citizens in free states to assist in capturing runaway slaves, which led to outrage and resistance in the North.

05:02

🚂 The Underground Railroad and Resistance to Slavery

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was met with significant opposition, particularly in the North. It led to the strengthening of the Underground Railroad, a network that helped slaves escape to freedom. Harriet Tubman, known as the Moses of her people, was a key figure in this network, guiding over 70 people to freedom. The Act also led to direct confrontations, such as the Christiana Riot in Pennsylvania and the Jerry Rescue in New York, where abolitionists resisted federal authorities. These events highlighted the growing divide between the North and the South. The Boston slave riot in 1854, following the capture of Anthony Burns, further exposed the federal government's commitment to enforcing the Act, despite public outcry. Abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Sojourner Truth played crucial roles in rallying public opinion against the Act, deepening the divide and pushing the nation closer to the Civil War. The video concludes by emphasizing the power of individuals to make a difference and the inevitability of confronting deep divisions within a nation.

Keywords

💡Sectional Divisions

Sectional divisions refer to the differences and conflicts between different regions of a country, particularly in the context of the United States, between the North and the South. In the video, these divisions are highlighted as a growing issue between 1850 and 1856, primarily due to disagreements over slavery. The tensions between free and slave states are central to the narrative of the video.

💡Compromise of 1850

The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws passed by the U.S. Congress to ease tensions between slave states and free states. It is a key concept in the video, illustrating the attempts to maintain a balance in the face of growing sectional divisions. The compromise included admitting California as a free state and allowing Utah and New Mexico to decide their own status regarding slavery.

💡Fugitive Slave Act

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is one of the most controversial parts of the Compromise of 1850. It required citizens in free states to assist in capturing runaway slaves and imposed heavy fines for non-compliance. The video explains how this act was divisive, stripping accused fugitives of basic rights and igniting outrage in the North, which contributed to the growing sectional divide.

💡Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by African-American slaves to escape to free states or Canada. In the video, it is presented as a symbol of resistance against the Fugitive Slave Act and a means of achieving freedom for many. The video mentions Harriet Tubman, a prominent conductor on the Railroad, who guided over 70 people to freedom.

💡Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was a former slave who became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping many others escape slavery. The video highlights her courage and determination, referring to her as 'the Moses of her people', showing how individuals can make a significant impact on a social issue like slavery.

💡Abolitionists

Abolitionists were individuals who advocated for the immediate end of slavery. The video discusses how the Fugitive Slave Act turned more people into abolitionists, as they were shocked by the federal government's enforcement of the law. Abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Sojourner Truth are mentioned as influential figures who rallied public opinion against the Act.

💡Civil War

The Civil War refers to the conflict that took place in the United States from 1861 to 1865, primarily over the issues of slavery and states' rights. The video suggests that the sectional divisions and the controversy surrounding the Fugitive Slave Act set the stage for the Civil War, indicating the escalating tensions that eventually led to this conflict.

💡Slave Trade

The slave trade was the business of buying, selling, and transporting slaves. The video mentions that the slave trade was banned in Washington, D.C. as part of the Compromise of 1850, showing an attempt to appease the North while still maintaining the institution of slavery in other parts of the country.

💡Federal Power

Federal power refers to the authority of the central government over the states. The video discusses how the Fugitive Slave Act represented an assertion of federal power over state laws, which was deeply controversial and contributed to the growing divide between the North and South.

💡Anthony Burns

Anthony Burns was a former slave who was captured under the Fugitive Slave Act and whose arrest sparked protests in Boston. The video uses his case to illustrate the national controversy over the enforcement of the Act and the lengths to which the federal government would go to uphold it.

💡Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth was a former slave and an influential abolitionist. The video mentions her powerful speeches calling for justice and equality, emphasizing her role in rallying public opinion against the Fugitive Slave Act and the broader abolitionist movement.

Highlights

The Compromise of 1850 was designed to ease tensions between free and slave states but instead deepened divisions.

The United States was grappling with the question of whether new states would be free or slave after the Mexican-American War.

California's admission as a free state was part of the Compromise of 1850.

The slave trade was banned in Washington, DC as a result of the compromise.

Utah and New Mexico were given the decision-making power regarding slavery.

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was highly controversial and divisive, unlike its 1793 predecessor.

The new law required citizens in free states to assist in capturing runaway slaves, with refusals punishable by a hefty fine.

The Fugitive Slave Act stripped accused fugitives of basic rights, including trial by jury.

The act caused outrage in the North, forcing many to support a system they opposed.

The Underground Railroad became crucial in response to the Fugitive Slave Act, aiding runaway slaves to freedom.

Harriet Tubman's role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad was pivotal, guiding over 70 people to freedom.

The Fugitive Slave Act led to direct confrontations, such as the Christiana Resistance in Pennsylvania.

The Jerry rescue in Rochester, New York, demonstrated the strength of abolitionist resistance.

The Boston slave riot of 1854, following the capture of Anthony Burns, highlighted federal enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act.

Abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Sojourner Truth played a significant role in rallying public opinion against the act.

The Fugitive Slave Act widened the rift between the North and South, pushing the nation closer to the Civil War.

The resistance to the Fugitive Slave Act and the increasing divide between free and slave states set the stage for the Civil War.

The story of the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act illustrates the difficulty of finding common ground on deeply divisive issues.

Transcripts

hello I'm Mr jeffon and this is Ace US

history in today's video I will attempt

to answer the question how and why did

sectional divisions widen between 1850

and

1856 this is the first of four videos

tackling this question so be sure to

check back in the early 1850s the United

States was struggling to hold together a

fragile peace between free and slave

states this video will uncover how the

Compromise of 1850 meant to ease

tensions instead deepen Division and set

the stage for the Civil War in 1850 the

United States was growing rapidly with

new territories and States being added

to the union but with this growth came

the question would these new States be

free or slave states the Missouri

Compromise of 1820 had kept a balance

for over 20 years but with new land from

the Mexican-American War this balance

was in danger the Compromise of 1850 was

created to solve this problem it was a

series of Five Laws meant to ease

tensions it did a few things right

California was admitted as a free state

the slave trade was banned in Washington

DC and Utah and New Mexico were allowed

to decide for themselves whether they

would allow

slavery however one part of this

compromise the Fugitive Slave Act would

prove to be highly controversial and

divisive the compromise was seen as a

way to maintain balance between the

North and the South but it was clear

that this piece was fragile and wouldn't

last long the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

was one of the most controversial parts

of the Compromise unlike the earlier

Fugitive Slave Act of

1793 which was Loosely enforced the 18

1950 Act was much stricter this new law

required citizens even in free states to

assist in the capture of runaway slaves

anyone who refused would be fined up to

$1,000 a huge sum at the time this law

did not just Target Escape slaves it

stripped them of their basic rights

accused fugitives were not allowed a

trial by jury and they couldn't defend

themselves in court all it took was a

claim from a slave owner to send a

person back into slavery the Fugitive

Slave Act caused outrage in the north

people were shocked that they were being

forced to support a system they didn't

believe in it wasn't just about catching

runaway slaves anymore it was about

Federal power over state laws and

individual rights this Act made many

Northerners who had been indifferent to

slavery realized the true horror of the

the system it pushed many people to

become active abolitionists people who

wanted to end slavery altogether in

response to the Fugitive Slave Act the

Underground Railroad became more

important than ever the Underground

Railroad was a secret network of safe

houses and people who helped runaway

slaves reach freedom in the North or

Canada it wasn't a real railroad but it

helped thousands of people escape

slavery one of the most famous conduct s

on the Underground Railroad was Harriet

Tubman after escaping slavery herself

she risked her life to return to the

South multiple times guiding over 70

people to Freedom Tubman was so

successful that she became known as the

Moses of her people she showed

incredible courage and determination

embodying the spirit of resistance

against the Fugitive Slave Act the

Underground Railroad was not just a

route to Freedom it was a symbol of

defiance against an unjust law it showed

that even in the face of severe

punishment many people were willing to

stand up for what they believed was

right the Fugitive Slave Act led to

direct confrontations in the North in

Cristiana Pennsylvania in 1851 a group

of African-Americans led by William

Parker took a stand against a Maryland

slave owner named Edward Gorsuch Gorsuch

had crossed state lines to capture his

runaway slaves but but Parker and his

group refused to give them up a violent

Clash ensued and Gorsuch was killed

Parker managed to escape via the

Underground Railroad but the event

showed how far people were willing to go

to resist the Fugitive Slave Act later

that year in Rochester New York another

dramatic event took place the Jerry

rescue William Henry who preferred to be

called Jerry was arrested under the

Fugitive Slave Act but the timing

couldn't have been worse for authorities

as the anti-slavery Liberty party was

holding its state convention in town

hundreds of abolitionists gathered to

demand Jerry's release the crowd was so

large and determined that Jerry was

freed and whisked away on the

Underground Railroad to Canada these

acts of resistance were not without

consequences the authorities tried to

prosecute those involved but they

struggled to make charges stick the

trials that followed often ended in

acquittal or minor penalties further

emboldening abolitionists and

highlighting the growing divide between

the North and the South one of the most

significant events caused by the

Fugitive Slave Act was the Boston slave

riot in

1854 Anthony Burns a former slave who

had been living as a free man in Boston

was captured under the Fugitive Slave

Act his arrest set off a wave of

protests in the city thousands of people

took to the streets demanding his

release the situation became so tense

that President Franklin Pierce sent in

federal troops to enforce the law

despite the massive protests Burns was

eventually sent back to his owner in

Virginia this event became a national

issue highlighting the lengths to which

the federal government would go to

enforce the Fugitive Slave Act the case

of Anthony Burns shocked the nation a

Massachusetts businessman summed up the

mood when he wrote we went to bed one

night old-fashioned compromise Union

wigs and woke up Stark mad

abolitionists the event showed that the

Fugitive Slave Act was turning more and

more people against slavery even those

who had previously supported

compromises abolitionists like William

Lloyd Garrison and sourer Truth played a

crucial role in rallying public opinion

against the fug Slave Act Garrison who

founded the anti-slavery newspaper The

Liberator in 1831 was a passionate

advocate for the immediate end of

slavery at a rally on July 4th 1854 just

a month after the Boston slave Riot

Garrison and other abolitionists

gathered to denounce the law Sojourner

Truth a former slave and powerful

speaker also addressed the crowd calling

for justice and equality for all people

Garrison went as far as to burn a copy

of the Constitution at the rally

declaring it a pro-slavery document his

actions and words inspired many to join

the Abolitionist cause further deepening

The Divide between North and South the

Fugitive Slave Act intended to be part

of a compromise instead widen in the

rift between the North and South it

forced people to take sides on the issue

of slavery pushing the nation closer to

conflict the resistance to the law the

courage of those who fought against it

and the increasing divide between free

and slave states all set the stage for

the Civil War which would erupt just a

few years later the story of the

Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive

Slave Act shows us how difficult it can

be to find common ground on issues that

deeply divide a nation sometimes

compromises only delay the inevitable

forcing us to confront the realities we

Tred to avoid but it also shows us the

power of individuals to make a

difference even in the face of seemingly

insurmountable odds thank you for

watching