To What Extent Was The Compromise Of 1850

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The period preluding the American Civil War (1861-1865) was marked by several milestones in the form of historical events and adoption of certain pieces of legislations. The results of these events contributed greatly to the violent disruption of the country. In this paper two of the most vital legislative enactments, the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, will be taken into consideration in as much as to define the degree of the influence their passing had in the growth of the country’s division. It will be argued that though these legislations were initially aimed at appeasing the conflict between the two national forces, they in fact gave the country powerful incentives down the path to the Civil War. The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 comprised five bills adopted by the U.S. Congress. It was initially aimed at defusing the political conflict between slave-holding and free states. Although it temporary eased the tension between two confronting parties, eventually it seemed to satisfy neither. It was stipulated by mutual disagreements over its provisions. In fact, it was its passing that among other things brought the country on the verge of war.
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It represented an attempt to avert the crisis existing between the southern and northern states. The crisis erupted after the end of the Mexican War (1846-1848), “…that was destined to expand greatly American territorial possessions in the West” (Searles, “The Compromise of 1850”). Clay’s main aim was to save the Union by preventing its dissolution after California had requested to be admitted on terms of slavery prohibition throughout its territory. Among other provisions the most important proposals included admitting California as a free state and toughening of the Fugitive Slave Act of