Compromise of 1850
The United States had recently acquired a vast territory, including California, as a result of the Mexican War. In 1850 California asked to be admitted to the Union. Congressmen argued over whether California should enter as a free or slave state. Should the territory allow slavery, or should it be declared free? Or maybe the inhabitants should be allowed to choose for themselves?
Ever since the Missouri Compromise, the balance between slave states and free states had been maintained; any proposal that threatened this balance would almost certainly not win approval.
Congress wants to keep the number of slave states and free states the same, but there was also the idea of popular sovereignty. Popular sovereignty means the states would decide for themselves whether slavery should be permitted.
Also, there was Washington, D.C. Not only did the nation's capital allow slavery, it was home to the largest slave market in North America.
This decision will determine the future of the United States. What would YOU do?
Should California be admitted as a free state? Should states use popular sovereignty to decide slavery? What should be done about Washington D.C.? Should a new Fugitive Slave Law help the south? YOU decide.
Your choices are:
A) Admit California as a free state, New Mexico and Utah can decide by popular sovereignty, and the slave trade will be banned in D.C.
B) All states should enter the Union using popular sovereignty.
C) All states should enter as free states as well as slavery being banned in D.C.