What major issue did the Georgia Convention of 1850 address?

The Georgia Convention of 1850 primarily addressed the issue of secession from the Union in the context of rising tensions over slavery and states’ rights. During this period, there was considerable debate in the Southern states about whether to remain a part of the United States or assert their independence, especially as issues surrounding the expansion of slavery into the territories became increasingly contentious. The convention was convened as a response to the Compromise of 1850, which aimed to settle disputes regarding the territorial expansion of slavery and maintain a balance between free and slave states.

Delegates at the convention deliberated on how Georgia should react to the growing abolitionist movement and the perceived threats to the institution of slavery. This included discussions about whether Georgia should consider secession as a legitimate option to protect its interests. Their decisions and resolutions were reflective of the broader sentiment in the South during this era, which ultimately led to heightened tensions and the eventual secession of several Southern states from the Union in the lead-up to the Civil War.

The other options—state education funding, laws governing labor, and trade agreements with neighboring states—while significant issues, did not carry the same immediate urgency or political implications as the matter of secession during the period surrounding the convention.