How is the Compromise of 1850 best described?

The plan was set forth. The giants — Calhoun, Webster, and Clay — had spoken. Still the Congress debated the contentious issues well into the summer. Each time Clay's Compromise was set forth for a vote, it did not receive a majority. Henry Clay himself had to leave in sickness, before the dispute could be resolved. read more

An unsuccessful attempt to resolve differences in slavery laws and practices between North and South. Unsuccessful because the Civil War began 11 years later. read more

The Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state, andgave the South stricter Fugitive Slave Laws as a way to "balance"the deal. It also gave Kansas and Nebraska territories the right todecide for themselves whether to allow slavery or not. Thisindirectly repealed the Missouri Compromise. read more

One of the legislative bills that were passed as part of the Compromise of 1850 was a new version of the Fugitive Slave Act. At first, Clay introduced an omnibus bill covering these measures. Calhoun attacked the plan and demanded that the North cease its attempts to limit slavery. read more