The COMPROMISE of 1850 [APUSH Review Unit 5 Topic 4] Period 5: 1844-1877

Summary

In this video, Heimler’s History explores the escalating tensions over slavery from 1844 to the Civil War, highlighting the Compromise of 1850. Following the Mexican-American War, conflicting views emerged: Southerners insisted on the constitutional right to slavery, while the Free Soil Movement sought to keep new territories free of slavery, often motivated by economic interests. The idea of popular sovereignty aimed to let territories decide their fate, but it only deepened divisions. The Compromise attempted to balance interests but ultimately intensified conflict, particularly due to the stringent Fugitive Slave Law, setting the stage for future discord.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Compromise of 1850 aimed to address the growing tensions over slavery between the North and South after the Mexican-American War.
• 😀 The Southern Position argued that slavery was a constitutional right, asserting that previous compromises had already settled the issue of slavery's expansion.
• 😀 The Free Soil Movement, composed of Northern Democrats and Whigs, wanted new territories to be free of slavery to promote free labor, although they often excluded Black people from settling there.
• 😀 Abolitionists, a faction within the Free Soil Movement, sought to end slavery entirely, not just in new territories but across the nation.
• 😀 Popular sovereignty proposed that the residents of each territory should decide whether to allow slavery, but this was contentious and increased tensions between factions.
• 😀 The balance of power in the Senate was crucial for both sides; the admission of free states like California and New Mexico threatened Southern interests.
• 😀 The Wilmot Proviso, which aimed to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico, passed in the House but failed in the Senate due to this balance.
• 😀 Henry Clay proposed the Compromise of 1850, which included admitting California as a free state and establishing popular sovereignty in the Utah and New Mexico territories.
• 😀 The Compromise also included a stricter Fugitive Slave Law, which ultimately escalated tensions rather than alleviating them.
• 😀 The enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law faced significant resistance in the North, complicating efforts to maintain unity in the Union.

Q & A

What major historical event is discussed as a backdrop for the tension over slavery in the video?

The video discusses the Mexican-American War and the territorial gains made by the United States as a significant backdrop for the growing tensions over the expansion of slavery.

What was the Wilmot Proviso, and what was its significance?

The Wilmot Proviso was a proposal to ban slavery in any territory acquired from the Mexican-American War. Its significance lies in the fact that it was narrowly defeated in Congress, highlighting the deep divisions over slavery.

What were the three major positions regarding the expansion of slavery outlined in the video?

The three major positions were the Southern Position (arguing slavery was a constitutional right), the Free Soil Movement (advocating for free labor in new territories), and Popular Sovereignty (allowing territories to decide on slavery themselves).

How did the Southern Position view the Missouri Compromise?

The Southern Position viewed the Missouri Compromise as a guarantee for the continuation of slavery, asserting that it established a clear line for where slavery could and could not exist.

What was the primary goal of the Free Soil Movement?

The primary goal of the Free Soil Movement was to ensure that newly acquired territories would be free from slavery, allowing for opportunities for free labor, although many within the movement were not motivated by a moral opposition to slavery.

Why was popular sovereignty considered a contentious issue?

Popular sovereignty was contentious because it could lead to either the expansion or restriction of slavery depending on the decisions made by the settlers in each territory, creating uncertainty and potential conflict.

What did the Compromise of 1850 aim to accomplish?

The Compromise of 1850 aimed to ease tensions between the North and South by admitting California as a free state, dividing the Mexican Cession into territories with popular sovereignty, banning the slave trade in Washington D.C., and enforcing a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.

How did the admission of California and New Mexico as free states impact the Senate?

The admission of California and New Mexico as free states tipped the balance in the Senate towards free states, making it difficult for Southern interests to pass laws favorable to slavery.

What was the Fugitive Slave Law, and why did it create further tensions?

The Fugitive Slave Law required individuals in the North to assist in the capture of escaped slaves. This law created further tensions because it conflicted with the growing abolitionist sentiment in the North, making enforcement difficult and unpopular.

What ultimately happened to the Compromise of 1850 in terms of long-term effects?

While the Compromise of 1850 temporarily calmed tensions, the Fugitive Slave Law and ongoing debates over slavery continued to exacerbate divisions between the North and South, contributing to the conditions leading up to the Civil War.