The compromise of 1850. California was ready to join the union as a free state, the balance in Congress was threatened. The south threatened to secede( withdraw from the country), fearing being outvoted in Congress. So the following compromise was offered to keep the north and south happy: Henry Clay offered that slavery be decided in the newly-acquired Mexican Cession land of Utah and New Mexico by popular sovereignty( majority rules). This made the south hopeful. The Fugitive Slave Law was created which made the south happy. This law required all citizens to catch runaway slaves. If caught helping fugitives you get 6 months of jail or 1,000 dollars fine. Slaves courts were established, but crooked judges were paid per slave sent back; the courts were corrupt.
