Who
Henry Clay-- the "Great Compromiser" and author of the Missouri Compromise spoke against southern states' rightists who were threatening secession. Drafted the Compromise of 1850.
Zachary Taylor: the President during this time, who proposed that California could enter the Union as a nonslave state, infuriating southerners. Also encouraged New Mexico to apply for statehood, who would no doubt follow California's example as a free state.
Zachary Taylor: the President during this time, who proposed that California could enter the Union as a nonslave state, infuriating southerners. Also encouraged New Mexico to apply for statehood, who would no doubt follow California's example as a free state.
What
A compromise drafted by Henry Clay when California was trying to be admitted as a free state, thus angering southerners such as John C. Calhoun, who stated that much of the California territory was south of the Missouri Compromise Line, thus should be a slave state. South was also angry over the North's neglecting to strictly enforce their fugitive slave law.
South threatens to secede.
Compromise: California enters Union as a free state (north), residents of New Mexico and Utah territory would decide their status of slavery through popular sovereignty (mostly north), slave trade eliminated in D.C (north), Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 would be more strictly enforced (South).
South threatens to secede.
Compromise: California enters Union as a free state (north), residents of New Mexico and Utah territory would decide their status of slavery through popular sovereignty (mostly north), slave trade eliminated in D.C (north), Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 would be more strictly enforced (South).
When
In 1850, during a time where slavery was becoming a large issue again because of the newly acquired Mexican territories applying for statehood. Also after the discovery of gold in California in 1848 causing a giant population boom there, giving California and New Mexico (also affected by the gold rush) the option for statehood.
Impact
- The compromise benefited the north more, for California entering the Union as a free state gave the free states a majority, upsetting the balance in congress.
- This unbalance of power increased tensions between north and south leading up to the civil war, and proved that compromising was getting more difficult as either side was becoming more stubborn with their stands on slavery.
- As popular sovereignty grew, more states (Wilmot Proviso theory) in the Mexico cession became free, forcing the south to look towards central america for slave states to help their voice in congress.
- The fugitive slave law became a problem in the north and bothered abolitionists, resulting in abolitionist outcry such as "Uncle Toms Cabin", which in turn bothered the south.
"Uncle Tom's Cabin"
This Book, created by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852, was written in response to the strengthening of the Fugitive Slave Act under the Compromise of 1850. It demonstrated the immorality of slavery powerfully.
Impact-- No other novel in american history can be compard with "Uncle Tom's Cabin" as a political force. It effectively used moral suasion to receive sympathy from the readers, a majority of whom in the north joined the abolitionist cause. Many, after reading, swore to have nothing to do with the enforcement of the Fugitive slave law, thus leaving southerners in a state of distrust and hostility towards the north.
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" was a leading political force in the outbreak of war, as thousands of people (even in Europe) started rallying for the destruction of slavery on the side of the North.
Impact-- No other novel in american history can be compard with "Uncle Tom's Cabin" as a political force. It effectively used moral suasion to receive sympathy from the readers, a majority of whom in the north joined the abolitionist cause. Many, after reading, swore to have nothing to do with the enforcement of the Fugitive slave law, thus leaving southerners in a state of distrust and hostility towards the north.
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" was a leading political force in the outbreak of war, as thousands of people (even in Europe) started rallying for the destruction of slavery on the side of the North.