States Rights, Nullification, Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, Georgia Platform

   The Missouri Compromise was created in 1820. At that time, the topic of slavery was very tender. So much so, that states were declared Free States or Slave States.  Missouri entered as a Slave State, however Maine entered as a Free State. Afterwards, any state below Missouri, Missouri’s compromise line rather, were Slave States. Any state above, would be a Free State. 
   Later, the United States creates a tariff on imported goods. This is because America’s economy wasn’t doing great, and the US wanted to keep businesses local, to make more profit. People liked the idea and understood it. However, the south did not like it. Most people who liked the idea were in the north, which had tons of high-tech machines and prospering businesses that could support the new plan. The south on the other hand did not have all of these necessities, because that area of the country was mostly large farms and plantations. South Carolina’s John C. Calhoun decided that the south would not follow the tariff. Arguments commenced about what John did, and whether or not it was fair. Finally, it was decided that there would be a compromise- there would be reduced rates on the tariff. That way, southerners could still receive imports (however they would still be taxed), and northerners could choose if they wanted to purchase imports. Even though the two sides met in the middle on this issue, the southerners weren’t 100% happy. They decided they wanted states’ rights. This meant the states had the right to make their own decisions, not follow what the government decided for the whole country. 
    Everything had been going swimmingly with the Missouri Compromise until 1850. That is when California decided they wanted to become a state. With gold booming, and settlers coming left and right to taste the profits, it was time to become a part of the United Sates. California decided that they wanted to be a Free State, except the next state to be added (which was California) had to be a Slave State. California would not surrender to becoming a Slave State, therefore another state had to be added. This is then what happened:

• Texas could become a part of the United States if the U.S would take on all of their debt
• Next, all territory that was under the Texas name was created into these states: New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada
• Slavery was then abolished in Washington D.C
• Afterwards, California became a Free State

  

   Following the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed. It stated that citizens were required to help slave catchers, denied jury trials for slaves, the claim process was easier, and there were more federal officials for enforcement. Because this was passed, more slaves in the north fled to Canada. Also, people who were undecided in opinion about slavery had one now- to be against it. Although, Georgia agreed with the Fugitive Slave Act, and the Georgia Platform was then created. It meant that Georgia would agree with the Fugitive Slave Act as long as runaway slaves that fled to the north would be returned to the south as promised. 

 

* The Bold Black line is the Missouri Compromise Line *




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