Compromise of 1850 and Georgia Platform

During the 1850's, the balance of free and slave states were in danger of being disrupted. The Compromise of 1850 consisted of five bills that were intended to deal with the spread of slavery while keeping it balanced between the North and the South.

First Bill: California entered as a free state. 

Second Bill: New Mexico and Utah were allowed to choose their states as free or slave. 

Third Bill: Republic of Texas gave up lands because they were indebted  to the U.S. government, leaving the lands parts of North Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.

Forth Bill: The slave trade was abolished in Washington, D.C

Fifth Bill: The Fugitive Slave Act, ordering federal officers to arrest runaway slaves or they will be punished by having to pay a fine. 

The Fugitive Slave Act was the most controversial part of the compromise and it led to increased efforts against slavery from the abolitionists.


With America facing threats of a split between the nation over the Compromise of 1850, Georgia adopted a proclamation to helped to avert a national crisis. In other words, it delayed the Union from confederacy. Howell Cobb, Robert Toombs and Alexander Stephens were the representatives of Georgia in Congress. They were responsible for a great deal of political influence in Georgia. They helped with the Compromise of 1850 in Washington and also ensured that the radical secessionists in Georgia were defeated. Their hard work and efforts was what became the Georgia Platform.