Question

during the debate on the compromise of 1850,

1. daniel webster managed to forge a successful compromise.
2. john c. calhoun called for southern secession if california were admitted as a free state.
3. stephen a. douglas stepped down as secretary of state.
4. jefferson davis resigned from the senate.
5. president zachary taylor suddenly died.

daniel webster managed to forge a successful compromise.

john c. calhoun called for southern secession if california were admitted as a free state.

stephen a. douglas stepped down as secretary of state.

jefferson davis resigned from the senate.

president zachary taylor suddenly died.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option based on historical facts about the Compromise of 1850:

• Daniel Webster gave a speech supporting the compromise but didn't "forge" it (Stephen A. Douglas was more involved in crafting it).
• John C. Calhoun, a southern statesman, opposed the compromise and did call for southern secession if California was admitted as a free state, which aligns with historical records.
• Stephen A. Douglas was not secretary of state (he was a senator), so this is incorrect.
• Jefferson Davis resigned from the Senate much later (related to Mississippi's secession), not during the 1850 compromise debate.
• President Zachary Taylor died in 1850, but his death was not directly part of the debate on the Compromise of 1850's proceedings in the way the question implies (the compromise's progress was more tied to Douglas, Webster, Calhoun's actions during the debate).

Answer:

B. John C. Calhoun called for southern secession if California were admitted as a free state.