History Chapter 12 Quiz 5

Questions and Answers

What were the terms of the Compromise of 1850?

The Compromise of 1850 allowed California to be admitted as a free state, divided the Mexican Cession into New Mexico and Utah Territories, and introduced popular sovereignty.

What was the crisis in the presidency in 1850?

The crisis in 1850 was caused by President Taylor's death, and his vice president, a Whig, supported the compromise, which ultimately led to political issues for the Whig party because of the Fugitive Slave Act.

What does the term 'doughface' refer to?

Doughfaces are northern Democrats who appeared moderate because they sympathized with southern congressmen and did not oppose the proslavery position.

Why was it harder to get a compromise passed in the mid-1800s?

<p>It was harder to pass a compromise because of the addition of new land that wanted to create its own state constitutions, leading to disagreements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Compromise of 1850

Admitted California as a free state, influencing the balance of free and slave states.
Divided the Mexican Cession into New Mexico and Utah Territories, allowing residents to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.
Popular sovereignty gave power to the people to choose between free or slave status, reflecting a shift in governance.

Crisis in the Presidency (1850)

President Zachary Taylor died, leading to his Whig vice president, Millard Fillmore, assuming the presidency.
Fillmore supported the Compromise of 1850, but its passing led to internal conflict within the Whig party due to the highly controversial Fugitive Slave Act.
The adoption of the Compromise was seen as detrimental to Whig party unity.

Doughfaces

Refers to Northern Democrats who appeared moderate by not opposing proslavery stances.
These individuals often aligned with Southern congressmen and prioritized other political issues over slavery debates.
Their willingness to remain neutral on slavery contributed to the complexities of political negotiations during this era.

Difficulties in Compromise (Mid-1800s)

Expansion of American territory through land acquisition complicated the negotiation of compromises.
Newly acquired lands sought to establish independent state constitutions, intensifying regional disagreements over slavery.
The growing divide between pro-slavery and anti-slavery sentiments made consensus increasingly challenging.

Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts from Chapter 12 of the history course, focusing on the Compromise of 1850. This quiz helps reinforce understanding of the political and social implications of the era, such as popular sovereignty and the division of territories. Prepare to explore historical terms and events related to this critical moment in U.S. history.