From a chapter on " Troubled Times: the Tumultuous 1850s," this section explains the contested issues that led to the Compromise of 1850 and describes and analyzes the reactions to the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act.

The Compromise of 1850 attempted to settle sectional disagreements about slavery in the volatile pre-Civil War period. The compromise, actually a series of bills, had an enormous impact on the nation's slow march to civil war. See...

This interesting website shows four plans of establishing the boundaries of Texas for its annexation into the U.S. This break-up of Texas lands became part of the Compromise of 1850.

Annotated chronology of various compromise legislation, including the Northwest Ordinance, the Constitution, the Missouri Compromise, 1850 Compromise, and Kansas-Nebraska Act.

A quick comprehension check over the Great Compromise of 1850.

The Compromise of 1850 acted as a band-aid over the growing wound of sectional divide.

This Khan Academy resource provides a table of contents with notes for The Compromise of 1850.

Summarizes the events that took place to develop the Compromise of 1850.

Overview of the Compromise of 1850, it's provisions, and discussion of the regional differences that characterized U.S. sectional conflict during the 1800s.

An interactive map that clearly shows the change in the status of slavery in territories from the Missouri Compromise to the Compromise of 1850. Click on the map to see the status before and after the Compromise of 1850.

Presents the events leading up to the passing of the Compromise of 1850, followed by a description of those events, the content of the Compromise, and its impact.

Before finding the final terms of the Compromise of 1850, read about the disputes and debate that accompanied the attempts to pass something that would address Northern and Southern concerns.

Henry Clay's speech in the Senate in support of the Compromise of 1850 and the importance of preserving the Union.

Presents key ideas for examining America's involvement in the Mexican War, westward expansion and the concept of Manifest Destiny, the Compromise of 1850, and the individuals involved in these issues.

Read excerpts of the contentious debate about slavery in the territories as the U.S. Congress tried to hammer out legislation that could be passed by both houses and signed into law by the president. Find the provisions of the Compromise...

Find the various parts of the Compromise of 1850, proposed by Henry Clay, that extended slavery in some cases, prohibited in others, and added California as a free state. A clear chart shows what parts of the law were beneficial to the...

Links to Senator Daniel Webster's famous plea, amidst the turmoil of sectional conflict, for national unity and his support of the Compromise of 1850.

Collection of primary resources on Nationalism, John C. Calhoun on the Clay Compromise Measures, and U.S. Senate, March 4, 1850. Thematically organized with notes and discussion questions.

Collection of primary resource material includes Henry Clay's, "A General Review of the Debate on the Compromise Bills," U.S. Senate, July 22, 1850. With questions for discussion.

The National Humanities Center present a reading guide that links to a speech in the Senate by William Seward, one that expresses moral outrage over the compromises allowing the expansion of slavery.

Students develop and express claims through discussions and writing which compare and contrast how the early compromises over slavery, including their effectiveness and impact on different regions of the United States.

The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards including Daniel Webster, Speech to the United States Senate, March 7, 1850.

Comprehensive summary features detailed facts and information on The Compromise of 1850 that was trying to smooth out differences between the slave states and the free states.

Contains pictures of the actual pages of the speech written by John C. Calhoun containing his views opposing the Compromise of 1850. Links to Daniel Webster's introductory remarks in favor of the compromise.