Читать книгу American Civil War For Dummies - Keith D. Dickson - Страница 22

As new settlers poured into California seeking gold in 1849, the debate began in Congress over how the new state should enter the Union. At this time, Congress was equally balanced in representation between slave and non-slave states. Thirty years earlier, Congress had avoided a crisis by admitting two states, one allowing slavery (Missouri) and one without slavery (Maine). However, in this instance, California’s admission as a new state would tip the balance of power in favor of one region or another, most likely for the North, adding more members in the House and further building the Northern majority there, while also adding two senators, which would likely give the North control of the Senate.