The Compromise of 1850 (College Board AP® US History): Flashcards
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Define Wilmot Proviso (1846).
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Cards in this collection (14)
Define Wilmot Proviso (1846).
The Wilmot Proviso was a proposed amendment to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico; it failed to pass Congress.
What did Southerners want to do with the Missouri Compromise line?
Southerners wanted to extend the line to the Pacific Ocean to allow slavery in the new territories.
Why did many Southerners oppose ending slavery?
They believed ending slavery would ruin their economy and way of life.
Define Free Soil Movement.
The Free Soil Movement was a political party of northern Democrats and Whigs who believed new territories should not allow slavery.
Why did Free Soilers oppose slavery in the territories?
They feared slavery would disadvantage independent farmers and shift political power in Congress.
Define popular sovereignty.
Popular sovereignty was the idea that settlers of a new territory should vote on whether to allow slavery.
Who popularized the idea of popular sovereignty in the late 1840s?
Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan popularized the idea.
Why did supporters think popular sovereignty would reduce conflict?
It would stop the federal government imposing a solution on slavery, reducing the risk of national conflict.
Why did Northern critics object to popular sovereignty?
It opened the door for slavery to expand into areas closed under the Missouri Compromise.
Who introduced the laws that became the Compromise of 1850?
Henry Clay introduced the series of laws.
True or False?
Under the Compromise of 1850, California joined the Union as a slave state.
False.
California joined as a free state, tipping the Senate balance in favor of free states.
The Compromise of 1850 ended the of enslaved people in Washington, DC, though slavery remained legal there.
The Compromise of 1850 ended the sale of enslaved people in Washington, DC, though slavery remained legal there.
Define Fugitive Slave Law (1850).
The Fugitive Slave Law forced all US citizens to help capture people escaping enslavement, even in free states, and penalized anyone who helped them escape.
Why did the Fugitive Slave Law anger Northerners and abolitionists?
They saw it as a moral injustice.
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