This collection uses primary sources to explore the life and political impact of Henry Clay. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the terms of the Wilmot Proviso
Discuss why the Free-Soil Party objected to the westward expansion of slavery
Explain why sectional and political divisions in the United States grew
Describe the terms of the Compromise of 1850

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Explain the contested issues that led to the Compromise of 1850
Describe and analyze the reactions to the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act

This collection uses primary sources to explore the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.