The compromise of 1850 was presented by Kentucky’s Henry Clay. Its purpose was to maintain the delicate balance between slave and free states. It became law because of support by representatives like Senator Daniel Webster.

Compromise of 1850

Part of the Compromise of 1850 required passage of the fugitive slave act. This act made it a crime to help runaway slaves. Abolitionists especially reacted in anger to the Compromise. Sometimes that anger turned to violence. This was true when abolitionists tried to rescue Virginia fugitive Anthony Burns from a Boston jail.

Fugitive Slave Act

In the presidential election of 1852, the democrats nominated Franklin Pierce. He was not a well known in politician, however his promise to honor the Compromise of 1850 assured him many southern votes. Pierce ran against Whig candidate Winfield Scott. Pierce’s win over Scott was responding. When the votes were counted, it was discovered that out of 31 states, 27 voted for Pierce.

Election of 1852

The slavery issue continued to plague the United States. In 1854, Representative Stephen Douglas introduced a bill that addressed slavery in the Louisiana Territory. When it was signed into law on May 30, it became known as the Kansas-Nebraska Act. It got its name from the two territories into which it divided the rest of Louisiana—Kansas and Nebraska. In each territory, popular sovereignty would determine the answer to the slavery question. To make sure Kansas voted in favor of slavery, pro-slavery voters left their homes in Missouri to cross the border and vote in Kansas. They won and quickly set up a pro-slavery government. However those who did not believe in slavery set up another, separate government m Topeka.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act