The Union, Map, 1850

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Context

In 1850, the United States was embroiled in the slave vs. Free State debate as more territories were being added to the Union. The Compromise of 1850 contained five separate bills that dealt with the issues related to enslavement and territorial expansion.

President Zachary Taylor, opposed any legislation that would address the problem and felt that the issue should be left to the courts. Sen. Henry Clay of Kentucky pushed for the Compromise of 1850, but the measure stalled until Taylor died in July, 1850. Millard Fillmore was sworn in as president and he was more open to such legislation.

The Compromise of 1850 was a plan that consisted of several important parts:

California was admitted as a free state
Texas was limited to its current borders in exchange for debt assumption by the federal government
New Mexico and Utah were admitted with the ability to determine if they would be a slave or free state
The Slave Trade was abolished in Washington, D.C.
A new, stronger Fugitive Slave Law was passed

The Union map by Humphrey Phelps, shows the territories of the U.S. in 1850 surrounded by a collection of portraits of American presidents, leading figures, and state seals.

Citation: Phelps, Humphrey. Phelps's national map of the United States: a travellers guide embracing the principal rail roads, canals, steam boat & stage routes throughout the Union. New York: Ensign & Thayer, 1850. G3700 1850 .A8, Map Collection, Library of Virginia.

Standards

VS.1, VS.2, VS.6, USI.1, USI.8

The Union, Map, 1850

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Context

Standards

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