What was one of the key components of the Compromise of 1850?

The Compromise of 1850 was a significant legislative package aimed at addressing the contentious issue of slavery in the territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. One key component involved the assumption of Texas's debt by the federal government. Texas had incurred substantial debts before it joined the Union, and by assuming these debts, the federal government sought to appease Texas as part of the broader compromise. This action helped to stabilize the state’s economy and reinforced its allegiance to the Union, while allowing the federal government to keep the peace between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.

The other components of the Compromise included such measures as the admission of California as a free state and the implementation of a stricter Fugitive Slave Law, which fueled tensions rather than alleviating them. Thus, the assumption of Texas's debt played a pivotal role in facilitating broader negotiations and maintaining a precarious balance between slave and free states during a tumultuous period in American history.