The Cause
1. The U.S. had acquired vast
territory—result of war with
Mexico--Should slavery be
allowed? (Wilmot Proviso)
2. California—gold rush 1849—
had petitioned for statehood—
slave/free balance disrupted
3. Dispute in TX-claimed
territory to Santa Fe
4. Washington, D.C.—Not
only allowed slavery—
largest slave market in
North America
The Compromise of
1850
1. TX land dispute-give
up disputed land-get
$10 million to pay debt
to Mexico.
2. Territories of NM &
UT would be organized
by popular sovereignty.
3. Slave trade in
Washington, D.C.
ended--slavery still
legal
4. California admitted
as Free State-disrupts
balance
5. Fugitive Slave Act
passed to pacify slavestate politicians
The Fugitive Slave Law
•Required citizens to
assist in recovery
•Denied fugitive a right to
a jury trial-special
commissioners paid $5released & $10 if returned
•Increased # of federal
officials to enforce act
•Estimated 20,000
blacks move to Canada
•Underground RR
becomes more active
Slavery now in the
national spotlight
How long will the
Union stay together?
The case of Anthony
Burns