Which provisions were included in the Compromise of 1850?

• A. California admitted as a free state
• B. All of the above
• C. Fugitive Slave Act
• D. Popular sovereignty in most other states

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that the Compromise of 1850 was a package of measures designed to ease tensions over slavery by trading concessions on several hot issues. California becoming a free state changed the political balance in favor of free states. The Fugitive Slave Act tightened the enforcement of returning enslaved people who fled to free areas, which intensified Northern anger toward the institution of slavery but was acceptable to Southern interests as part of the compromise. At the same time, the plan allowed popular sovereignty to decide the status of slavery in the new western territories, letting residents in those areas vote on whether slavery would be legal there.

There were other related terms in the package as well, but the three provisions above were key components. Since all of these elements were included in the Compromise of 1850, the option that combines them all is the best answer.