1. CHAPTER 15:
A Divided Nation
Section 1:
The Debate over Slavery

2. VOCABULARY
 Sectionalism: A devotion to the
interests of one geographic region
over the interests of the country as a
whole
 Secede: To formally withdraw
from the Union

3. NEW LAND RENEWS
SLAVERY DISPUTES
 New land causes bitter debate over
slavery
• Will slavery spread into new
territories?

5. NEW LAND RENEWS
SLAVERY DISPUTES
 Southerners wanted slavery in all
territories

6. NEW LAND RENEWS
SLAVERY DISPUTES
 Northerners supported the
Wilmot Proviso (never passed)
• Stated no slavery in territories

7. NEW LAND RENEWS
SLAVERY DISPUTES
 Beginning of sectionalism

8. NEW LAND RENEWS
SLAVERY DISPUTES
 Some say the solution is popular
sovereignty
• People who live in territories will
vote yes or no on slavery

9. THE CALIFORNIA
QUESTION
 California to apply for statehood
• They do not want slavery

10. THE CALIFORNIA
QUESTION
 But this would upset the balance of
power in the Senate
 South
threatens to
secede

11. THE COMPROMISE
OF 1850
 Compromise of 1850 – Submitted
by Henry Clay

12. THE COMPROMISE
OF 1850
• CA enters Union a free state
• Rest of Mexican Cession land
would be decided by popular
sovereignty
• Slave trade – but not slavery –
would end in Wash. D.C.
• Fugitive Slave Act passed

13. The Compromise of 1850

14. FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT
 Made it a crime to help runaway
slaves. Allowed for the arrest of
escaped slaves in the North and
required their return to slaveholders

15. Fugitive Slave Law Reward Posters

18. FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT
• African Americans were returned
without a trial and could not testify
on their own behalf