What was the significance of the Compromise of 1850?

The significance of the Compromise of 1850 lies in its attempt to resolve the escalating tensions between slave and free states, which were threatening to disrupt the unity of the nation. The compromise was a collection of legislative measures aimed at addressing the contentious issue of slavery in the newly acquired territories following the Mexican-American War.

One of its key components was the introduction of the principle of popular sovereignty, allowing the residents of New Mexico and California to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery. This was significant as it attempted to placate both pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, exemplifying the deep divisions in the country. Furthermore, the Compromise of 1850 also included the Fugitive Slave Act, which mandated that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, thereby intensifying the conflict and resistance in Northern states.

The other options, while related to the broader context of U.S. history, do not capture the primary significance of the Compromise of 1850. For example, the Missouri Compromise line had its own earlier significance but was not directly established by this later legislative effort. Similarly, while it did promote westward expansion, that was a secondary effect rather than the main focus, which was the delicate balance between slave and free states.