U.S. History

At the Edge of Precipice: Henry Clay and the Compromise that Saved the Union

Robert Remini

About the Program

Robert Remini presents a history of the Compromise of 1850 brokered between the North and South by Kentucky Senator, Henry Clay.  The Compromise was born from a debate between Northern and Southern politicians who argued that America's newest states, gained following the Mexican war, should be free or allow slavery.  The Compromise collapsed ten years after its agreement and lead to the South's succession.  Henry Clay introduced the Compromise of 1850 to the Senate on January 29, 1850.  Robert Remini discusses his book at the National Archives in Washington, DC.

About the Authors

Robert Remini

Robert Remini is an emeritus history professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Mr. Remini is the author of biographies of John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, and Henry Clay. He received the National Book Award for the third volume of his multiple volume biography of Andrew Jackson.


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Program Information

At the Edge of Precipice: Henry Clay and the Compromise that Saved the Union

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Past Airings

  • Sunday, January 29th at 6pm (ET)
  • Monday, February 21st at 2pm (ET)
  • Monday, July 26th at 4am (ET)
  • Saturday, July 24th at 10am (ET)
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