1850

Compromise of 1850
 * tried to balance the slave states and the free states
 * designed by Henry Clay
 * composed of 5 laws (one of which was the Fugitive Slave Law)
 * California was admitted as a free state
 * DC: slave trade was totally abolished
 * New Mexico: popular sovereignty

1850 John Brown = Harper’s Ferry raid attempt to start a slave rebellion and free the slaves; execute which raised sympathy in the North