Question

question 16 of 25

which statement best completes this diagram about the elements included in the compromise of 1850?

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$$\begin{tabular}{|c|} \\hline \\textbf{the compromise of 1850} \\\\ \\hline california enters the union as a free state. \\\\ \\hline ? \\\\ \\hline washington, d.c., ends the local slave trade. \\\\ \\hline northern states accept the fugitive slave act. \\\\ \\hline \\end{tabular}$$

a. southern states accept the concept of popular sovereignty.
b. antislavery petitions are allowed to be presented to congress.
c. southern leaders succeed in acquiring lower tariffs on crops.
d. new mexico and utah voters decide on slavery in their states.

Explanation:

Analyze the diagram elements

The diagram lists key provisions of the Compromise of 1850:

• California enters the Union as a free state.
• ? (Missing element)
• Washington, D.C., ends the local slave trade.
• Northern states accept the Fugitive Slave Act.

Evaluate the answer choices

• A. Southern states accept the concept of popular sovereignty. While popular sovereignty was applied to the territories, this statement is too broad and does not accurately describe the specific territorial provision of the compromise.
• B. Antislavery petitions are allowed to be presented to Congress. This refers to the repeal of the gag rule in 1844, which is unrelated to the Compromise of 1850.
• C. Southern leaders succeed in acquiring lower tariffs on crops. This is unrelated to the sectional compromise over slavery expansion in 1850.
• D. New Mexico and Utah voters decide on slavery in their states. This directly describes the application of Popular Sovereignty to the newly organized Utah and New Mexico territories, which was a core pillar of the Compromise of 1850.

Connect to historical context

The Compromise of 1850 sought to defuse a political confrontation between slave and free states regarding the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. By allowing the territories of Utah and New Mexico to use Popular Sovereignty, Congress left the decision of whether to permit slavery to the local voters.

Answer:

• A. Southern states accept the concept of popular sovereignty.
• B. Antislavery petitions are allowed to be presented to Congress.
• C. Southern leaders succeed in acquiring lower tariffs on crops.
• D. New Mexico and Utah voters decide on slavery in their states. (Correct answer)