Explain why the missouri compromise line did not provide a solution to the problem of california’s statehood ?

1 Answer
Feb 20, 2018

The admission of California into statehood upset the balance of power between free states and slave states.

Explanation:

Previous compromises had strictly maintained a balance the senate between the free and slave states. The equal number of senators between the slave and free states allowed the southern slave states to hold a veto over legislation that would harm the southern slave states, or impact the legality of slavery.

The admission of California gave the free states a majority in both the senate and the house of representatives. This made it possible for legislation to be passed in congress without the consent of the southern slave states.

The balance was to remove the Mason Dixon line as an arbitrary boundary between northern free states and southern slave states. The compromise of 1850 also greatly strengthened the fugitive slave acts. Escaped black slaves would no longer be safe anywhere in the United States. Combined with the Dred Scott decision of the Supreme Court slavery could now be considered legal any where in the United States.

The Compromise made the south angry because the south feared the legislative power it gave to the northern free states. The Compromise made the north angry because the north feared that slavery would spread into previously free state areas. Both sides feared that the nation would no longer be divided between slave and free but that the other side would win. The nation was now unbalanced because of the compromise of 1850 and would become either completely free or completely slave.