What was the purpose of the Omnibus Bill proposed by Henry Clay?

The Omnibus Bill, proposed by Henry Clay in 1850, aimed to address multiple contentious issues surrounding the expansion of slavery and the organization of territory acquired from the Mexican-American War. The bill included provisions that would ultimately support the admission of California as a free state. This was significant because California's application for statehood raised tensions between free and slave states, and Clay's approach sought to create a compromise that would help preserve the Union.

The inclusion of California as a state was part of a larger package that also dealt with other territorial issues, the status of slavery in new territories, and the strengthening of the Fugitive Slave Law. By supporting California’s statehood as a free state, the Omnibus Bill aimed to maintain a balance between free and slave states, a critical aspect of the ongoing national debate over slavery. This compromise was intended to alleviate sectional tensions while promoting stability in the newly acquired territories.