1850: False Optimism about a Divided Nation

The Compromise of 1850 came along to bring an agreement on the status in which new territories would join the Union. It is to be remembered that the 1820 Missouri Compromise had clearly led to a balance between slave-free states and slave territories and the deal closed. The Northerners were opposed to having new slave states while Southerners wanted slavery to continue. Some argued that the settlers in the controversial states be allowed to make their own choice. There was also a dispute over Texas with claims that it reached up to Santa Fe. In Washington, DC, slavery and slavery trade was prominent. In the midst of these disputes, Senator Henry Clay came up with a plan to create a balance and an agreement to this dispute on January 29, 1850.