University Essay: Analyzing the Compromise of 1850 in American History

This essay explores the Compromise of 1850, a pivotal event in American history, focusing on its context, key components, and consequences. The essay examines the series of bills introduced by Henry Clay to address the issue of slavery, including the declaration of California as a free state and the Fugitive Slave Act. It discusses the Missouri Compromise and the debates among politicians, highlighting the complexities and contradictions of the compromise, such as the abolition of the slave trade in some areas but not the institution of slavery itself. The essay analyzes the perspectives of historians like Hamilton, Remini, and Maizlish, who offer insights into the compromise's impact on the abolitionist movement, the tensions between the North and South, and the eventual conflicts that arose. The author concludes by reflecting on the intentions behind the bill and advocating for a more comprehensive approach to address the issue of slavery.

Running head: COMPROMISE OF 1850
Sociology
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

2COMPROMISE OF 1850
The compromise of 1850 is one of the most important and talked about event in
American history. This event mainly talks about the series of bills that were passed by A US
politician, Henry Clay. He wanted to solve the issue of the slave trade. Even after a large number
of discussions among the politicians and other officials the court was not able to find out any
fruitful solution to this problem. The Missouri Compromise bill was also passed by him in the
year 1820 to deal with this issue. This event has been chosen as it sheds light upon one of the
most crucial issues (Hamilton, 2015). Slave trade is a dangerous social evil and must be dealing
with right from the grass root level. The compromise of 1850 was a series of 5 different bills that
were passed in order to deal with some of the ongoing issues. The most crucial among them was
the attempt of abolishing the slave trade. e first bill declared California as a free state, making it
the 16th. In exchange for this, no restrictions would be placed in Utah or New Mexico regarding
slavery.
Remini (2010) is of the opinion that this Bill was hinted at the abolition of the slave trade
which indeed is very noble work. Slavery has only made men suffer at the hands of others. Thus
ending this social evil is indeed one of the most important works that could be done in the
historical scenario. However, Hamilton (2005) has argued that this bill dealing with the
compromise of 1850 has been only particularly successful as it abolished only the slave trade but
not the institution of slavery as a whole. If the solution is not able to bring long term and the
permanent and all-pervasive solution then it is not very useful.
Moreover, the slave trade was abolished only in Washington D.C as clay believed that
this part of the world majorly comprises of the slaves. However, at the same time, there were no
restrictions imposed on the continuation of the slave trade in areas like New Mexico and Utah.
The Northern territories were also asked to return the people (runaway slaves) to the south that

3COMPROMISE OF 1850
they had taken as slaves. However, the partial and improper implementation of the bill led to
many fights. Maizlish (2018) has stated that this was not an all-pervasive solution to end slavery.
The Northern part did not want to comply with the fugitive slave act. The southerner had a
feeling that North was still controlling them. Thus there were many controversies as the slave
abolition did not take place immensely. American life was best with both peace and problems as
the effect of this bill. Though peace was restored at some places there were also conflicts in
many.
I think that the bill was passed with good intention. However, at the same time,
abolishing a social evil like slavery must not be compartmentalized only to some places. All the
people must have the right of choosing a free life irrespective of their identity. As per my
opinion, the Bill must have aimed at removing the institution of slavery as a whole and only the
slave trade in some selected parts.

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References
Hamilton, H. (2005). Prologue to conflict : The crisis and compromise of 1850. Retrieved from
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Hamilton, H. (2015). Prologue to Conflict: the Crisis and Compromise of 1850. University Press
of Kentucky.
Maizlish, S. E. (2018). A Strife of Tongues: The Compromise of 1850 and the Ideological
Foundations of the American Civil War. University of Virginia Press.
Remini, R. V. (2010). At the edge of the precipice : Henry clay and the compromise that saved
the union. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com