Question

which two statements are supported by the excerpt from representative brodhead’s speech?

a. acquiring territory from mexico would force the creation of another slavery compromise.

b. some members of the legislature feared that resurrecting the slavery debate could tear apart the union.

c. the mexican war could be used to ease sectional tensions by creating new southern states in which slavery would be allowed.

d. some members of the legislature believed that the mexican war could help unify the different regions of the united states in a common purpose.

e. the expenses involved in continuing the mexican war were possibly greater than the benefits of obtaining new territory, as the new land would be expensive to maintain.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option based on typical historical context of the Mexican War and slavery debates:

• Option A: Acquiring Mexican territory would likely reignite slavery debates, forcing a new compromise (consistent with historical tensions over slave vs. free states).
• Option B: Legislators feared slavery debates could split the Union (aligns with pre - Civil War sectional fears).
• Option C: The Mexican War was not seen as a way to ease tensions by creating new slave states; it actually heightened tensions. Eliminate.
• Option D: The Mexican War was divisive, not a unifying force. Eliminate.
• Option E: The excerpt focuses on slavery/Union, not financial costs of territory. Eliminate.

Answer:

A. Acquiring territory from Mexico would force the creation of another slavery compromise.
B. Some members of the legislature feared that resurrecting the slavery debate could tear apart the Union.