What was one of the major legislative efforts Henry Clay was known for?

Henry Clay is primarily recognized for his role in significant legislative compromises aimed at easing sectional tensions in the United States during the first half of the 19th century. One of his major legislative efforts was the Compromise of 1850, which sought to address the controversial issue of slavery in the territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. This compromise included several key provisions that aimed to maintain a balance between free and slave states, such as the admission of California as a free state, the establishment of territorial governments in Utah and New Mexico with the choice to allow slavery, and the implementation of a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.

Clay's deft political maneuvering helped to temporarily quell conflicts that threatened to escalate into violence and maintain the Union's integrity during a period marked by heightened tensions over slavery. His efforts exemplified his broader commitment to finding middle ground and promoting national unity in a divided nation.