Although the North and South had united for a common goal during the Mexican War, territories acquired as a result of the war caused tensions to rise again as the debate arose over whether these territories would permit or prohibit slavery (Schultz, 2013). Additionally, as the westward expansion continued, it was difficult for the two political parties to retain the support necessary from particular regions to uphold their principles on the slavery issue (Schultz, 2013). Supporters of the Democratic Party favored defending the rights of all men; however, southern Democrats strongly supported slavery in the new territories, thusly, in direct conflict with the rights of white as well as black men (Schultz, 2013). Arguments from the Northerners …show more content…
Components of this bill were: (1) Admitting California as a free state to the Union; (2) Dividing the other territory won in the Mexican-American War into two territories that would become Utah and New Mexico, where slavery would be allowed until they became states and then their state governments would decide the issue; (3) Banning of slave auctions in Washington, D.C.; (4) Compensating Texas $ 10,000, however it was not allowed to carry slavery into the area of New Mexico; and (5) Create Fugitive Slave Laws that would punish northerners for aiding slaves to escape from the South (Schultz, 2013). As President Zachary Taylor died in office and was succeeded by Millard Fillmore who was a supporter of the compromise, the chances of passage improved (Schultz, 2013). With elements to appeal to both northerners and southerners, and in addition, sparking much controversy in Congress, passage required dividing the bill into parts and voting on each separately (History.com Staff, 2009). Although there was controversy over the compromise, it gave Congress several years of success in regards to slavery issues and the north and south disputes over it (History.com Staff,