Impact of the Compromise of 1850

The Compromise of 1850 was a series of legislative measures designed to address the growing tensions between free and slave states in the United States. Proposed by Henry Clay, this compromise aimed to settle the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War and ease the sectional conflict. Among its key provisions was the admission of California as a free state, the creation of Utah and New Mexico territories with popular sovereignty, and the stricter enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act. Consider the impact of these provisions on the political landscape and public sentiment of the time.

Which of the following statements best describes a significant outcome of the Compromise of 1850?