MDP - The Compromise of 1850 (Lesson)

The Compromise of 1850

Gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, California near San Francisco in 1848. The resulting 1849 Gold Rush exponentially increased the population of California, so that it quickly became eligible for statehood. The failure of the Wilmot Proviso, the precedent of the Missouri Compromise and the recent Mexican War meant that the issue of slavery in California would be a hotly debated issue. However, at the president’s suggestion to skip the territory phase of the process for admission to the Union, the people of California quickly introduced their proposition for statehood with a proposed state constitution - a state constitution that outlawed slavery.  

The Compromise of 1850 

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 decreed that any state south of the 36-30 line of latitude would be a slave state and any state north of that line would be a free state. This ruling effectively split California in two. If California was admitted as a free state, there would be an unequal balance of representation in the United States Congress and the electoral college.

Former presidential candidate and architect of the Missouri Compromise, Henry Clay, stepped in to offer another compromise. Clay became known as the “Great Compromiser” because of his efforts to parley a deal. John C. Calhoun, a pro-slavery South Carolinian, was very public in his opposition to Clay’s proposal. Clay and Calhoun debated extensively over the issue. Debates continued as Daniel Webster, representing free status, and Calhoun, advocating slavery, prevented any progress. Webster partnered with Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois to draft Clay’s proposal into five separate bills to be voted on by Congress. These bills were passed and resulted in the Compromise of 1850.

The compromise did not permanently solve the issue of slavery. Like its predecessor, the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850 only entrenched sectional conflicts over the divisive issue of slavery.

Henry Clay introduces The Compromise of 1850 - hand drawn image.

Challenge Yourself

Review the image of the Compromise of 1850. Then, complete the activity below.

Compromise of 1850 Transcript Links to an external site.

Photograph of Henry Clay's Resolutions to the Compromise of 1850.

COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS DOCUMENT COURTESY OF THE CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY DIGITAL COLLECTION