Reference

The Compromise of 1850 was a legislative effort aimed at addressing the escalating sectional tensions between the Northern and Southern states of the United States, primarily over issues related to slavery and territorial expansion after the Mexican-American War. Here are the key components of the Compromise and how they attempted to ease these tensions:

1. Admission of California: California was admitted to the Union as a free state, which pleased the Northern states. This shifted the balance of power in the Senate towards the free states.

2. Territorial Status and Popular Sovereignty: The territories of Utah and New Mexico were organized with the principle of popular sovereignty, meaning that the settlers in those territories would determine whether they would allow slavery. This was a compromise between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.

3. Texas Boundary and Debt: Texas surrendered some territory claims in return for the federal government assuming its $10 million debt. This helped settle disputes between Texas and New Mexico.

4. Fugitive Slave Act: A stricter Fugitive Slave Act was enacted, requiring citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves and denying enslaved people the right to a jury trial. This aspect was particularly controversial and inflamed tensions in the North.

5. Slave Trade in Washington D.C.: While slavery remained legal in the nation's capital, the Compromise abolished the slave trade (but not slavery itself) in Washington D.C.

Despite these measures, the Compromise of 1850 was more of a temporary solution, and tensions continued to rise, eventually leading to the American Civil War. Many people at the time, especially in the North, were dissatisfied with certain provisions like the Fugitive Slave Act, which they found particularly onerous and ethically troubling.

For more detailed information, you can refer to these sources:

• Compromise of 1850 (American History Central)
• Compromise of 1850 (Wikipedia)
• Compromise of 1850 (National Archives)