The History of the United States, 2nd Edition Episode 36, The Great Compromise Episode 36, The Great Compromise.

Streaming video - 2003

The wrangling over whether to allow slavery in the territories gained from the Mexican Cession led to southern threats of disunion and was aggravated by the sudden death of President Taylor. Henry Clay took the floor of the Senate to shape his last Union-saving compromise, which looked as if it would permanently dampen the slavery agitation.