...the United States of America grew at a rapid pace. Harriet Truman stated, “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” However, there was a bitter domestic disagreement about the practice of slavery, which was endorsed by the Southern states but was highly disagreed upon by the Northern states. The United States was equally divided on the issue of slavery. In 1849, Henry L. Benning who was a Georgia politician and the future Confederate general wrote to Howell Cobb, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1849-51) and...
Words: 1305 - Pages: 6
...textbook, lecture and power-point notes compare and contrast the compromises of 1820 and 1850. Slavery came about in America in 1619 (RN). It lasted through the American Revolution, even after Thomas Jefferson scripted his famous lines in the Declaration of Independence, "All men are created equal. They are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Clearly, slaves were not part of this included in Jefferson's words. When it came time to write the Constitution, the word "slavery" was never used. Instead, the framers chose to use the term "other people." These other people were counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation in Congress according to the Three-Fifths Compromise (RN). This compromise kept slavery in the United States unharmed. The framers also decided not to do anything about the issue of slavery for twenty years. Prior to the American Civil War, many different compromises were made in an attempt to hinder the growing disagreements. However, this only extended the unavoidable events that would occur. The differences between North and South were far to great and compromise did not stand a chance at preventing the imminent conflict. This was most clearly shown in the ways in which the two main compromises: the Compromise of 1820, also known as the Missouri Compromise, and the Compromise of 1850 failed. In 1820 Missouri wanted to join the Union as a slave state...
Words: 2024 - Pages: 9
...Speeches on the Compromise of 1850 The Compromise of 1850 was a proposed solution to the conflict over slavery in the new territories acquired in the Mexican-American War by Kentucky Senator Henry Clay. It consisted of laws that admitted California into the Union as a free state, the Fugitive Slave Act would be amended, the slave trade in Washington, D.C. would be abolished, a government created in Utah, and boundaries set between Texas and New Mexico. The Compromise of 1850 was first introduced at the Senate meeting in February 1850. The proposal brought about heavy debates from John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, and William Henry Seward. They were similar because each man loved and served their country and was passionate about their view of the issues of slavery and the new territories and believed their opinion was correct; however they were very different in what each believed to be fair and true. John C. Calhoun of South Carolina did not support The Compromise of 1850. He believed it was a betrayal to the south. He argued that the North and South were almost on equal grounds when the Constitution was ratified with an equal division of the States, but all of this was threatened by the Northern influence on government. Clay also argued that if Northerners wanted the south to stay in the Union they would have to stop in their attempts to limit slavery. Daniel Webster of Massachusetts supported The Compromise of 1850 proposed by Henry Clay of Kentucky. Webster was opposed to...
Words: 549 - Pages: 3
...title The compromise of 1850 was a major cause of the civil war as it led to the south seceding from the north because they felt like they had no power within their own government. It started when the United States acquired a vast amount of land as a result of the war with Mexico. The question was whether or not they would allow slavery or declared free, since California had the gold rush in 1849 it was petitioning to congress to become a free state. Ever since the Missouri compromise the slave to free state ratio was balanced, so letting California in as a free state would make it unbalanced. On january 29, 1850 Henry Clay, a senator from kentucky proposed a compromise. According to the compromise the territories of Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona would be organized without mention of slavery, which later the inhabitants of the area agreed to when they applied for statehood. It also noted that the slave trade in Washington D.C would be abolished although slavery would still be allowed, and finally California was admitted as a free state and in order for that to satisfy slave-state politicians the fugitive slave act was passed. The fugitive slave act was one of the most controversial, it made it so people had to aid in the return of a runaway slave, also it denied a fugitive’s right to a jury trial. More often than not these fugitive’s cases were handled by special commissioners, these commissioners would be paid Five dollars if the alleged fugitive was set free and...
Words: 1020 - Pages: 5
...First, there was the Three-Fifths Compromise. This compromise was the counting of southern black slaves as three-fifths of a white man. Southern states wanted to count blacks so they would have more votes in Congress. Northern states didn’t want blacks to be counted because blacks did not vote. Congress eventually passed the three-fifths compromise so that blacks would partially count towards the South's vote. Second, the Compromise of 1850 was the passing of five bills based on Clay's proposals. The Compromise was setup to please both the north and the south but later caused outrage in the north. Third, States' Rights was boosted when the republicans wanted to get rid of the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Republicans faced a problem when opposing the law because at that time, the Supreme Court didn't have the power to strike down a law as unconstitutional. Congress agreed to a plan called the Three-Fifths Compromise. Each enslaved person would be counted as three fifths of a free person. With the compromise 500 enslaved people would count as 300 free people making this a gain for the south. The North had to agree on this to keep the South in the Union. The Three-Fifths Compromise preserved slavery in the new Constitution by making the distinction between “free persons” and “all other persons.” The North was still upset that the South had more votes. The Compromise of 1850 was to help both the North and The South. President Zachary Taylor opposed the Compromise but soon died...
Words: 551 - Pages: 3
...Could you imagine a cannonball and bullets flying through the air at your house. This was what happened in 1861, because of the compromises that failed. There's many compromises, but the three most major compromises that failed and contributed to Georgia’s secession are Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, and Kansas-Nebraska Act. Due to these three failed compromises there will be no way trying to negotiate peace with the U.S. Federal Government resulting to secession and war. The Missouri compromise was an effort by Congress to calm the sectional and political rivalries provoked by the request of Missouri. It was put in place on March 5, 1820. This means that Missouri would enter as a slave state. At this time U.S. Contained...
Words: 383 - Pages: 2
...further linked as they touch on other factors that were important such as slavery. Whilst source D provides an opposing view that westward expansion was the main cause of conflict because it argues Slavery and the abolitionist movement was the reason for conflict within the union. Sources A, B, C and E all link to westward expansion however it is E that fully agrees to the statement. Source E strongly agrees with the statement because it is talking about the territory in particular the territory of Nebraska for example is says ‘Vast unoccupied region’ this shows that Nebraska was a problem and was making politics sectional. It also mentions ‘vast territory yet exempt from these terrible evils’ this is suggesting that the Nebraska territory is all part of the slave power conspiracy which Douglas was now part of as he substituted the Missouri Compromise for popular sovereignty which angered the North as it could lead to the expansion of slavery. This can be shown in source E from when it says ‘violation of a sacred pledge, as a criminal betrayal’ the scared pledge is the Missouri compromise in addition the criminal betrayal is the slave power conspiracy. The betrayer is Douglas as he was thought now to be a part of it alongside with pierce. Douglas is a key player is Source E as well as in source C as he was part of the Missouri compromise. However, in source C he helped to sort a problem whereas in...
Words: 2657 - Pages: 11
...In the time between 1850 and 1861, slavery became a major conflict within the American government and its citizens. In determining whether the Constitution is a source of disunion in the United States, it is important to look at different angles of interpretation. Morally, interpretations of the Constitution influence the rights and wrongs of slavery and the laws along with it. Socially, principles and provisions of the Constitution allow for the states to grasp rights, but also allow others to limit them. Politically, viewpoints from political figures on the Constitution bring forward ideas and opinions on laws regarding states’ rights and disunion. By the 1850s, the Constitution became a factor in the failure of the Union due to the opposing...
Words: 1280 - Pages: 6
...The question of slavery expanding or being terminated has been a question that has been asked all throughout the antebellum period. Yet, all through that period, it was never answered. Conflict between abolishing slavery, which was fought for by the Northerners and the preservation of slavery, fought for by the Southerners has spiked as time went on. Though, each plan that was designed to make a compromise between the two only seemed to aggravate them even more. For example, The WIlmot Proviso Act was shot down by opposing Southerners, the Compromise of 1850 infuriated both argumentative sides, and the Kansas Nebraska Act escalated sectional tensions. With every new act or establishment that came rolling our way, another crack...
Words: 1171 - Pages: 5
...the 19th century. The Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas Nebraska Act are just some of the events that contributed to this. The reason that this tension grew was because during these events, the North and South had different views on the events. Sometimes the South would agree but the North would disagree and that caused problems. The Missouri Compromise was the starting point for this rapid growth. It took place in 1820 and permitted Maine to be admitted into the union as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. When this happened, it maintained the balance of the Senate. Now, southern slave owners have a clear right to pursue escaped fugitives that went...
Words: 808 - Pages: 4
...Leading Up To The Civil War While the Civil War was devastating for the United States in terms of human loss of life, it was also the event that caused the American states to finally become united. What were the major events that led to secession and the beginning of the Civil War? Here is a list of the top nine events that led progressively towards the Civil War listed in chronological order. 1. The Mexican War Ended - 1848 With the end of the Mexican War, America was ceded western territories. This posed a problem: as these new territories would be admitted as states, would they be free or slave? To deal with this, Congress passed the Compromise of 1850 which basically made California free and allowed the people to pick in Utah and New Mexico. This ability of a state to decide whether it would allow slavery was called popular sovereignty. Sponsored Links Civil War History & MoreCivil War Stories, Photos & More. Join The History Club. Free Issue.thehistorychannelclub.com Pulitzer WinnersSun on C-SPAN2’s Book TV Pulitzer Winners, 9:45am-1:15pmET.www.booktv.org TalkPointVirtual Meetings & Events Cost Effective Webcasting Solutionswww.talkpointcommunications.com 2. Fugitive Slave Act - 1850 The Fugitive Slave Act was passed as part of the Compromise of 1850. This act forced any federal official who did not arrest a runaway slave liable to pay a fine. This was the most controversial part of the Compromise of 1850 and caused many abolitionists to increase their...
Words: 345 - Pages: 2
...and enabling others to act. Compromising toward Chaos: Failure to Lead results in Civil War Highly divisive times in world history have provided the opportunities for some of our nation’s best leaders to take charge and guide our great nation on a path that leads to success. The particular brand of success sought after could be any, from security from attack, to economic success. The great leaders of history can be measured in any number of quantitative or qualitative standards, but the ultimate issue is whether their actions benefited the nation in the long run. With that being said, I believe that the opposite of a path toward success would be a path toward division and hostility. The Civil War was one of the most horrific events in American history. This was a time where citizens of this great land were pitted against each other, which resulted in death and great financial loss. Granted, strong leadership would eventually steer the nation back toward success as a whole, paving the way toward the current status we enjoy as the world’s superpower. However,...
Words: 1658 - Pages: 7
...imagine that you were worth the same as dirt you were treated like the poo that the cows made that you had to take care of. For your master would whip you if you don't do your job. This it the life of all the slaves in 18th century and some of the 19th century. The compromise of 1850 was one of the main event that led to the civil war. To begin, What was the compromise of 1850. Well It was a long process that could make the U.S.A a better place (at the time). Why did this lead to the civil war. It sounds like a good thing to happen. As senior Henry tried to make one big agreement. Which he thought could make the U.S better. As he was told to break the agreement into separate parts. Since the original agreement was super big. then go over...
Words: 355 - Pages: 2
...The American Civil War was Unavoidable The bloodiest time in history for America was during The American Civil War; a time when Americans fought against themselves for their own rights in which they believed they were entitled to. To many it would be considered shocking and absurd to say the Civil War was something that could have been avoided – and they’re right. The Civil War was an unavoidable and ultimately inevitable conflict that was essential to the evolution of our nation. The differences between the North and the South, economically, geographically, and politically, were major players on why the two divided halves of the America could not prosper together at that time; that and the fact that the previous attempts to compromise on slavery had reached an unavoidable end also made the Civil War an inevitable and undeniable conclusion to the problems brewing between the two sides. There was simply no further room for compromise. There were many differences between the North and the South. The most obvious of which is that the North was, for the most part, industrial; while the South on the other hand was economically dependent of the production of staple crops (primarily cotton). The production of cotton in the South with the advent of the cotton gin soared, causing an increase of labor required; this lead to an increased dependency on slave labor in the south. Slavery was something the North often looked down upon and also held little or no value to them. How could...
Words: 1809 - Pages: 8
...question by the legislation introduced and designed by the Democratic Senator of Illinois, Stephen A. Douglas. (Joy article) The Kansas-Nebraska Act was introduced to congress on January 4, 1854. The sponsor, Stephen Douglas, proposed the act with all intents and purposes to clinch a transcontinental railroad route that would run northbound and directly benefit his constituency of Illinois,...
Words: 1230 - Pages: 5