A Tale of Two "Band-Aids": The Compromises of 1820 & 1850

Target: I can compare and contrast the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 by analyzing maps and a primary source document.

Key Vocabulary

• Sectionalism: Loyalty to one's own region (the "North" or the "South") rather than to the country as a whole.

• Compromise: An agreement where both sides give up something to settle a major dispute.

• Missouri Compromise (1820): An agreement that (1) admitted Missouri as a slave state, (2) admitted Maine as a free state, and (3) banned slavery north of the 36°30’ line in the Louisiana Territory.

• Compromise of 1850: An agreement that (1) admitted California as a free state, but (2) passed a much stronger Fugitive Slave Act.

• Fugitive Slave Act (1850): A controversial law that required all citizens and officials in the North to help capture and return escaped enslaved people.

Part 1: Do Now (5 minutes)

Directions: Read the prompt below and write a 5-8 sentence response.

Prompt: When you and a friend (or family member) have a major disagreement, what does a "compromise" look like? Does a compromise mean both people are happy, or does it just mean the fight is over... for now? In a detailed paragraph, explain your thoughts on compromise.

Sentence Starter: When I have a disagreement, a "compromise" usually looks like... I think a compromise means... because...

Part 2: Analyzing the Sources

Directions: Analyze the three documents below and then answer the questions that follow.

Source 1: Map of the Missouri Compromise (1820) (Description)

This is a description of a map you will see projected in class.

• The map shows the United States in 1820.

• It shows Maine added as a Free State.

• It shows Missouri added as a Slave State.

• It shows a bold, dark line drawn across the rest of the U.S. territories at the 36°30' latitude line. The area above this line is labeled "Slavery Banned," and the area below it (Arkansas Territory) is labeled "Slavery Allowed."

• This map clearly shows a neat, geographic "balance" between North and South.

Source 2: Map of the Compromise of 1850 (Description)

This is a description of a map you will see projected in class.

• The map shows the United States after the Mexican-American War.

• It shows the massive new state of California admitted as a Free State.

• It shows the new "Utah Territory" and "New Mexico Territory." Inside these territories, it says, "Slavery to be decided by Popular Sovereignty" (meaning the settlers there would vote on it).

• This map shows the 36°30' line from the first compromise is now gone, replaced by a new, messier solution.

Source 3: The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (Adapted Excerpt)

Original Text	Simplified Text
It shall be the duty of all good citizens to help in the prompt and efficient execution of this law.	All citizens must help enforce this law quickly and efficiently.
All United States marshals and their deputies are hereby authorized and required to... execute all warrants and precepts issued under the provisions of this act.	All U.S. Marshals (federal police) are required to carry out all orders to capture fugitive slaves.
Any person who shall... aid, abet, or assist such a person [a fugitive slave]... to escape... or shall harbor or conceal such fugitive... shall be subject to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, and imprisonment not exceeding six months.	Anyone who helps a fugitive slave escape, or hides them, will be fined up to $1,000 (a huge amount of money then) and jailed for up to six months.
And be it further enacted, That if any marshal or deputy marshal... shall refuse to receive such process... or shall fail to use all proper means diligently to execute the same... he shall... be fined in the sum of one thousand dollars.	If a U.S. Marshal refuses to capture a fugitive slave or doesn't try hard enough, they will be fined $1,000.

Analysis Questions

Directions: Answer questions 1-2 on your own. Then, work with a partner to answer question 3.

1. Based on the map description (Source 1), how did the Missouri Compromise of 1820 create a "balance" between the North and the South?

Sentence Starter: The Missouri Compromise created a balance by adding... and... It also drew a...

2. According to the Fugitive Slave Act (Source 3), what was a new, personal duty required of all citizens in the North?

Sentence Starter: The Fugitive Slave Act forced citizens in the North to... If they refused or helped a fugitive, they could be...

3. (Work with your partner) Compare the two compromises. Why was the Compromise of 1850 (especially the Fugitive Slave Act) more controversial and personal than the Missouri Compromise?

Sentence Starter: The Missouri Compromise was just about..., but the Compromise of 1850 was more personal because...

Part 3: Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

Directions: Answer the following prompt in a complete paragraph (5-8 sentences).

Prompt: In your opinion, which compromise was a bigger failure: the Missouri Compromise or the Compromise of 1850? Explain your choice using at least one specific piece of evidence from today's maps or documents.

Sentence Starter: In my opinion, the... was a bigger failure. The Missouri Compromise only... but the Compromise of 1850... For example, Source 3 states... This made the conflict worse because...