Civil War
The only word that could be used to describe the political climate of the American pre-Civil War era is divisive. Today's bipartisan political climate pales in comparison to that of the pre-Civil War era. Numerous congressional acts, sectional compromises, and Supreme Court decisions played major roles in the creation of such an unstable political climate, notably, the now notorious Compromise of 1850, and the Dred Scott decision. The Compromise of 1850 was a last minute effort proposed by Senator Henry Clay. This compromise was created to ease sectional tensions within the Union, yet it managed to escalate them to unimaginable and unmanageable heights. "1. Resolved, That California, with suitable boundaries, ought, upon her application to be admitted as one of the States of this Union, without the imposition by Congress of any restriction in respect to the exclusion or introduction of slavery within those boundaries... 5. Resolved, That it is inexpedient to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia whilst that institution continues to exist... 6. But, resolved, That it is expedient to prohibit, within the District, the slave trade in slaves brought into it from States or places beyond the limits of the District, either to be sold therein as merchandise, or to be transported to other markets without the District of Columbia... 3. Resolved, That the western boundary of the State of Texas ought to be fixed on the Rio del Norte, commencing one marine league from its mouth, and running up that river to the southern line of New Mexico; thence with that line eastwardly, and so continuing in the same direction to the line as established between the United States and Spain, excluding any portion of New Mexico, whether lying on the east or west of that river… 7. Resolved, That more effectual provision ought to be made by law, according to the
requirement of the constitution, for the restitution and delivery of persons bound to service or labor in any State, who may escape into any other State or Territory in the Union.” (1-2, Civilwar.org) This compromise had California, a major state whose entry into the Union would set precedent for a majority of the new territory, entering the Union as a free state, thus benefiting