Failure of Compromise

Definition

The Failure of Compromise refers to the inability of political leaders and factions in the United States to reach agreements that would ease tensions over divisive issues, particularly slavery, leading to increasing polarization and ultimately the Civil War. This term illustrates how repeated failed attempts at compromise, such as those seen in legislative measures and political agreements, highlighted the deepening divides between North and South, exacerbating conflicts that could not be resolved through dialogue.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Failure of Compromise is often marked by significant events like the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, both of which temporarily alleviated tensions but ultimately failed to address the root issues.
2. The lack of successful compromises created an environment where extreme views became more prominent, making it harder for moderate voices to mediate conflicts.
3. As compromise efforts faltered, many Northern abolitionists and Southern pro-slavery advocates became more entrenched in their positions, leading to increased violence and conflict, such as 'Bleeding Kansas'.
4. The Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford further illustrated the failure of compromise by declaring that Congress could not restrict slavery in territories, effectively negating earlier agreements.
5. The culmination of these failed compromises ultimately set the stage for the secession of Southern states and the onset of the Civil War in 1861.

Review Questions

• What were some key events or agreements that exemplified the Failure of Compromise leading up to the Civil War?
  • Key events illustrating the Failure of Compromise include the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. While these agreements sought to balance power between slave and free states, they ultimately failed to resolve the fundamental disagreements over slavery. The escalating tensions following these compromises led to increased conflict, notably seen in violent confrontations like 'Bleeding Kansas', showing how temporary solutions only delayed the inevitable clash.
• In what ways did the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision reflect and contribute to the Failure of Compromise?
  • The Dred Scott v. Sandford decision epitomized the Failure of Compromise by ruling that African Americans were not citizens and Congress lacked authority over slavery in territories. This decision invalidated previous legislative compromises regarding slavery and heightened tensions between North and South. It solidified the belief among many abolitionists that peaceful negotiation was futile, further entrenching both sides in their respective positions.
• Evaluate how the Failure of Compromise influenced political parties' dynamics in America during this period.
  • The Failure of Compromise drastically reshaped political party dynamics in America by leading to a realignment and fragmentation of existing parties. As moderates struggled to navigate increasingly polarized views on slavery, new parties emerged, such as the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery. The inability to find common ground on this issue alienated many voters and created a volatile political climate that ultimately contributed to secessionist sentiments and the Civil War.

Related terms

Missouri Compromise:

An agreement passed in 1820 that allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state while Maine entered as a free state, aiming to maintain the balance of power between slave and free states.

Compromise of 1850: A series of laws aimed at settling disputes over slavery in territories acquired during the Mexican-American War, which included admitting California as a free state and enacting a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.

Dred Scott v. Sandford:

An 1857 Supreme Court decision that ruled African Americans could not be American citizens and that Congress had no authority to regulate slavery in federal territories, undermining previous compromises.