Dec 6: The Compromise of 1850
Inquiry Questions of the Day:
How did the Compromise of 1850 signal a shift in sectional debates?
THE FAB FIVE
Compromise of 1850
KC-5.2.II.B.i: The courts and national leaders made a variety of attempts to resolve the issue of slavery in the territories, including the Compromise of 1850.
Another Compromise?
What do we do with all this??
It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here...
Over 70 instances of violence in Congress from 1830-1860
Meet the Senators
Dracula John C. Calhoun, South Carolina (dies during debates)
Daniel Webster, Massachusetts, constantly in debt despite high income
Henry Clay, The Great Compromiser from Kentucky (also old as hell)
Stephen Douglas, aka The Little Giant, Illinois
William Seward, New York (ends up getting stabbed the night Lincoln is assassinated)
Complete your position statements: what is your senator’s opinion on each issue? How will he vote and why?
Make sure you have a spokesperson who will share your position statements
Slave trade?
Underground RR
Voting Time
The bill is broken into separate bills. We will vote on each one. Prior to each vote, every group will share its position statement for that issue
Issue 1: California Statehood
Should California be admitted as a free state?
“At the time of the Constitution, there was nearly a perfect equilibrium (balance) between [North and South] in Congress; but, as it now stands, one section (the North) has the exclusive power of controlling the government. The North has only to do justice by conceding (giving) to the South an equal right to slavery in [the new lands from Mexico]” --John C. Calhoun | “We entertain [consider] several reasons why slavery should not be introduced here. It is wrong for it to exist anywhere. There is no excuse [reason] whatever for its introduction into this country...We desire only a white population in California. Free white miners won’t dig with slaves. They won’t degrade [devalue] their calling by associating it with slave labor.” -The San Francisco Chronicle |
Issue 2: Utah & New Mexico
Issue 3: Fugitive Slave Law
Will you support the new federal fugitive slave law? a new Fugitive Slave Law would require all citizens and officials to return any escaped slaves or be punished with fines and jail time. Officials would also be paid extra for finding and returning fugitive slaves.
“There is an express constitutional direction that fugitive slaves, who escape, shall be delivered to their owners.” -Thomas Pratt, Maryland | “If a fugitive slave is traced to our part of New York State, he shall have the law of Almighty God to protect him, the law which says, “Thou shalt not return to the master the servant that is escaped.” Abolitionist Samuel Ward |
Issue 4: Slave Trade in DC
Should the slave trade be abolished in Washington, DC?
The States...possess all powers which they have not delegated [given] to the federal government. The government may regulate trade between states, but not within them...therefore, the government cannot outlaw a slave trade within the capital [DC]” Jefferson Davis, Mississippi | “Slave Factories, with chains and grated cells, are established at the Seat of Government, where slaves are constantly collected from the neighboring States, and thence regularly shipped in cargoes, or sent, literally manacled together, in droves, to the more remote South. The guilt of tolerating these enormities rests on the whole American people.” Abolitionist pamphlet |
What would your senator like and dislike?
A “good” compromise?
Why is this compromise a turning point?
North Gets | South Gets |
California admitted as a free state; potential for slavery to be outlawed in Utah/NM? | Utah & New Mexico territories would be open to slavery under popular sovereignty (people of territory vote) |
Slave trade prohibited in Washington D.C. | Slaveholding still permitted in Washington D.C. |
Texas loses boundary dispute with New Mexico (would have extended slaveholding area) | Texas gets $10 million debt paid off |
| Strict Fugitive Slave Law |
Is Compromise Always a Good Thing?
How does it show a change in sectionalism?
Why was the compromise a turning point in American political culture?