“The treaty which shall terminate the war [with Mexico]... will introduce new territories into the Union... My opinion is, that the question of slavery in these territories should be left to the people who inhabit them. They are the ones who will be affected by its decision.”
— Lewis Cass, letter to Alfred P. Nicholson, 1847
Which of the following best describes the method proposed in the excerpt to address the sectional tensions arising from the Mexican-American War?
- AGranting Congress the direct authority to decide the status of slavery in new territories
- BReducing sectional tensions by focusing federal debates on tariff disputes rather than slavery
- Allowing the residents of each territory to decide the status of slavery for themselvesAnswer
- DAllowing the President to unilaterally determine the expansion of slavery in the West
Answer
Allowing the residents of each territory to decide the status of slavery for themselves
The correct answer is correct because Lewis Cass's letter outlines the concept of popular sovereignty, which proposed that the citizens residing within a newly organized territory should vote to decide whether to permit or prohibit slavery, bypassing direct federal legislation.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Popular Sovereignty
Estimated Time:45s