Question

Examine the Compromise of 1850 and its appeal to both the North and the South. Identify the specific provisions that garnered support from each region, contributing to the delicate balance struck by the compromise.

Answer 1

The Compromise of 1850 appealed to both the North and the South by including provisions like admitting California as a free state and introducing popular sovereignty. For the North, it abolished the slave trade in Washington, DC and allowed residents of the territories to decide on slavery. For the South, it included the Fugitive Slave Act and allowed the territories of New Mexico and Utah to determine their own fate as slave or free states.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws passed by Congress to address the issue of slavery and preserve the union. It had provisions that appealed to both the North and the South, contributing to the delicate balance struck by the compromise.

For the North, the compromise admitted California as a free state, which pleased antislavery advocates. It also abolished the slave trade in Washington, DC, a move welcomed by abolitionists. Additionally, popular sovereignty was introduced, allowing residents of the territories to decide whether to allow slavery or not. This was seen as a victory for the North.

For the South, the compromise included the Fugitive Slave Act, which strengthened the capture of runaway slaves. This satisfied the South's concerns about the return of fugitive slaves. The compromise also allowed the territories of New Mexico and Utah to determine their own fate as slave or free states based on popular sovereignty, giving the South hope for future expansion of slavery.