eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 11th - 12th
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.
Website
US National Archives

Our Documents: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the Compromise of 1850, it's provisions, and discussion of the regional differences that characterized U.S. sectional conflict during the 1800s.
Handout
Lone Star Junction

Lone Star Junction: Archives of the West: Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
The Compromise of 1850 acted as a band-aid over the growing wound of sectional divide.
Study Guide
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 11th - 12th
This Khan Academy resource provides a table of contents with notes for The Compromise of 1850.
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick comprehension check over the Great Compromise of 1850.
Website
Lumen Learning

Lumen: Boundless: u.s. History: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
PPT
Tom Richey

Tom richey.net: The Mexican War and the Compromise of 1850 [Ppt]

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 5th - 8th
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...
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Free Soil or Slave? The Dilemma of the West

For Students 11th - 12th
By reading this section of a chapter on "Westward Expansion," students will be able to describe the terms of the Wilmot Proviso and the Compromise of 1850, discuss why the Free-Soil Party objected to the westward expansion of slavery and...
Article
University of Groningen

American History: Essays: Politics and Sectionalism: Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
Summarizes the events that took place to develop the Compromise of 1850.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress Debates the Fate of the Nation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will use a copy of the Wilmot Proviso and a map used by President Polk in an address to Congress to debate whether territory acquired through the Mexican War should be free or slave states. This debate in Congress served as a...
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: The Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Graphic
University of Oregon

University of Oregon: Mapping History: Compromise of 1850: Status of Slavery

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Crisis of 1850 [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: America in 1850: Henry Clay: Review of the Debate on the Compromise Bills

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Henry Clay's speech in the Senate in support of the Compromise of 1850 and the importance of preserving the Union.
Handout
Other

Nhi: Unrestraint Begets Calamity: "The American Whig Review," 1845 1852

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll through this scholarly site from the National Humanities Institute to find information about the Whigs' role in the Compromise of 1850 and the end of its political clout by the election of 1852.
Website
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: History by Era: The Age of Jackson

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read about the growth of the United States in population, economy, territory during the Age of Jackson. Named after the dynamic president, Andrew Jackson, the age encompassed much more than Jackson's...
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: American Treasures: Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Crisis of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
A preview of will prompt the passage of the Compromise of 1850. Read about California's bid for statehood as a free state.
Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Documents: Excerpts From "The Fugitive Slave Act"

For Students 9th - 10th
This site titled, "From Revolution to Reconstruction," provides excerpts from the text of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, part of the Compromise of 1850.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: America in 1850: Daniel Webster: Speech to the u.s. Senate, March 7, 1850

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.