Compromises of 1820 and 1850 · US History

Under the Compromise of 1850, how was the issue of slavery to be decided in the Utah and New Mexico territories?

  1. By the 36° 30' line established in 1820
  2. By the principle of popular sovereignty
  3. By a direct decree from the President
  4. By the Supreme Court in a future legal case
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Correct answer: By the principle of popular sovereignty

Popular sovereignty allowed the actual settlers in these territories to vote on whether to allow slavery. This was a move away from the fixed geographical lines of the Missouri Compromise.

Difficulty: Medium Question 7 of 20

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