Malcolm Rivera
The Crittenden Compromise was an unsuccessful proposal to introduce six amendments to the US Constitution to protect slavery. Proposed by Senator John J. Crittenden on December 18, 1860, it aimed to address the fears of Southern pro-slavery factions and prevent the secession crisis of 1860-1861 that led to the American Civil War. The compromise included provisions to guarantee the permanent existence of slavery in slave states, address fugitive slave laws, and prohibit Congress from abolishing slavery in places under its jurisdiction. It also proposed reinstating the Missouri Compromise and extending the compromise line to the west, with slavery prohibited north of the 36° 30' parallel. While the Crittenden Compromise was popular among Southern senators, it was unacceptable to Republicans and was ultimately rejected by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Crittenden Compromise |
| Date proposed | December 18, 1860 |
| Proposer | United States Senator John J. Crittenden |
| Number of constitutional amendments proposed | Six |
| Number of congressional resolutions proposed | Four |
| Aim | To resolve the secession crisis of 1860–1861 that eventually led to the American Civil War |
| Method | By addressing the fears and grievances of Southern pro-slavery factions, and by quashing anti-slavery activities |
| Outcome | Unsuccessful |
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What You'll Learn
The Crittenden Compromise
The compromise was well-received by Southern members of the Senate, who sought to protect the institution of slavery and address concerns regarding fugitive slaves. However, it faced strong opposition from Republicans, including President-elect Abraham Lincoln, who rejected any policy that permitted the expansion or continuation of slavery. They argued that the compromise would lead to a perpetual state of conflict with territories and states that opposed slavery.
Despite having some support in the Senate, the Crittenden Compromise ultimately failed to pass in Congress. It was one of the final attempts to prevent the secession of Southern states and avert the Civil War. The proposal's failure highlighted the deep divisions within the nation and the growing irreconcilability between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, setting the stage for the conflict to come.
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Fugitive Slave Laws
The Fugitive Slave Laws were a pair of federal laws that allowed for the capture and return of runaway enslaved people within the territory of the United States. The first Fugitive Slave Act, enacted by Congress in 1793, was a Federal law that enforced Article 4, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, which required the return of people who escaped slavery. This law was written with the intent to force the authorities in free states to return fugitives of enslavement to their enslavers.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 authorized local governments to seize and return escapees to their owners and imposed penalties on anyone who aided in their flight. This law was met with widespread criticism and resistance, particularly from Northern states, who saw it as legalized kidnapping and a threat to the freedom of Black people. Many Northern states refused to enforce the law and passed "Personal Liberty Laws" that protected the rights of accused runaways and free Black people.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed in response to the weakening of the original Fugitive Slave Act and the proliferation of free Black populations in certain areas, such as Cass County, Michigan. This new Act added more provisions regarding runaways and levied harsher punishments for interfering in their capture. It required that all escaped slaves, upon capture, be returned to the slave owner and that officials and citizens of free states cooperate in this process. Law enforcement officials were required to arrest people suspected of escaping enslavement based solely on a claimant's sworn testimony of ownership, and habeas corpus was declared irrelevant.
The Crittenden Compromise, proposed in 1860, was an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the secession crisis of 1860-1861 and address the grievances of Southern pro-slavery factions. It proposed six constitutional amendments, including one that addressed Fugitive Slave Laws. It stated that fugitive slave laws were constitutional and should be observed and executed, and that all state laws impeding these laws were unconstitutional and should be repealed. The Crittenden Compromise was rejected by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it failed to prevent the start of the American Civil War.
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Congressional resolutions
The Crittenden Compromise, proposed by Senator John J. Crittenden of Kentucky, included four congressional resolutions. It was an unsuccessful proposal to permanently enshrine slavery in the US Constitution, making it unconstitutional for future congresses to end slavery. The compromise proposed six constitutional amendments, and it was introduced on December 18, 1860, aiming to resolve the secession crisis of 1860-1861 that led to the American Civil War.
The four congressional resolutions were as follows:
- Fugitive slave laws were constitutional and should be observed and executed: All state laws impeding the operation of fugitive slave laws, known as "Personal Liberty Laws", were deemed unconstitutional and should be repealed.
- Amending the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850: The amendment aimed to make the law less objectionable to the North by equalizing the fee schedule for returning or releasing alleged fugitives and limiting the powers of marshals in their capture.
- Effective execution of laws suppressing the African slave trade: This resolution emphasised the need to thoroughly enforce laws against the African slave trade.
- States' admission to the Union: States would be admitted to the Union regardless of their stance on slavery, as per their constitutions. Congress was forbidden from abolishing slavery in places under its jurisdiction within a slave state. It also addressed Southern demands regarding fugitive slaves and slavery in the District of Columbia.
The Crittenden Compromise was discussed at the Peace Conference of 1861, which included over 100 leading politicians. However, the proposals were voted down, and the Compromise was ultimately rejected by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise, also known as the Compromise of 1820, was a federal law in the United States that aimed to balance the conflicting desires of northern and southern states concerning the expansion of slavery. The legislation was passed on March 3, 1820, and signed by President James Monroe on March 6, 1820.
The Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, ensuring the balance between slave and free states in the nation was maintained. This was achieved by linking the Maine and Missouri bills, with Maine's admission as a free state being conditional on Missouri's entry as a slave state. The legislation also included a provision outlawing slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands north of the 36°30′ parallel, with slavery being prohibited above this latitude line in the remainder of the Louisiana Territory.
The Missouri Compromise was highly controversial, and many were concerned that it had lawfully divided the country along sectarian lines. It was opposed by both northern and southern Republicans for different reasons. Northern Republicans wanted to block the expansion of slavery, while southern Republicans were determined to secure Missouri statehood with slavery. The Compromise delayed the Civil War but also contributed to it by increasing tensions over slavery.
The Missouri Compromise was effectively repealed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, and in 1857, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional in the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision. Despite its repeal and subsequent unconstitutionality, the Missouri Compromise played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the United States and addressing the divisive issue of slavery.
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The Great Compromise
The Crittenden Compromise, proposed by United States Senator John J. Crittenden of Kentucky, was a package of six constitutional amendments and four congressional resolutions. It was introduced on December 18, 1860, and aimed to resolve the secession crisis of 1860–1861, which eventually led to the American Civil War. The compromise guaranteed the permanent existence of slavery in the slave states and addressed Southern demands regarding fugitive slaves and slavery in the District of Columbia. It proposed reinstating the Missouri Compromise and extending the compromise line to the west, prohibiting slavery north of the 36° 30′ parallel and guaranteeing it south of this line. The Crittenden Compromise also included a clause preventing its repeal or amendment.
While the Crittenden Compromise was popular among Southern members of the Senate, it was unacceptable to Republicans and President-elect Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery. The compromise was rejected by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It was discussed at the Peace Conference of 1861, but failed to gain support due to its provision guaranteeing slave ownership in all Western territories.
Now, onto the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, which was proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut. The Great Compromise addressed the issue of representation in Congress and proposed a bicameral legislature with two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House would be based on proportional representation, with more populous states having more seats than smaller states. On the other hand, the Senate would provide for equal representation, with each state, regardless of its population, receiving two senators.
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Frequently asked questions
The Crittenden Compromise was an unsuccessful proposal to permanently enshrine slavery in the US Constitution, thereby making it unconstitutional for future congresses to end slavery.
The Crittenden Compromise was proposed by United States Senator John J. Crittenden (Constitutional Unionist of Kentucky) on December 18, 1860.
The compromise proposed six constitutional amendments and four congressional resolutions. It guaranteed the permanent existence of slavery in the slave states and addressed Southern demands regarding fugitive slaves and slavery in the District of Columbia.
The Crittenden Compromise aimed to resolve the secession crisis of 1860-1861 that eventually led to the American Civil War. It sought to address the fears and grievances of Southern pro-slavery factions and quash anti-slavery activities.
No, the Crittenden Compromise was rejected by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. President-elect Abraham Lincoln also vehemently opposed the compromise as he stood against any policy permitting the expansion of slavery.
