Question

Answer in 2 paragraphs: What Steps did legislators take in the 1840s and early 1850s to resolve the issue of the expansion of slavery? And why did they fail?

Answer 1

Legislators passed the compromise of 1850 to resolve the issues of the expansion of slavery. The purpose was to keep the north and south in line and balanced. In attempt to achieve a political balance. The compromise of 1850s was promoted by new territory acquired during the Mexican American War. And the application of California as free state. The cause of the compromise of 1850 was the issues with slavery. Which resulted in the end of slavery in Washington, D.C, Creation of New Mexico and Utah territories and the ability of southern to reclaim their slaves.

Each time a territory achieved the requirements for statehood, a new crisis erupted. To resolve these crises required strong presidential and congressional leadership, judicial moderation, and a spirit of compromise among the people as well as their representatives. None of these conditions prevailed. Instead, passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850 aroused deeper hostilities, and President Franklin Pierce (1853—1857) encouraged further expansion but failed to address the crises that ensued.