What was the primary issue represented by the Wilmot Proviso?

• A. Women's rights
• B. Slavery in newly acquired territories
• C. Immigration policies
• D. Economic reform

Answer: (B)

The Wilmot Proviso was a legislative proposal introduced in 1846 that aimed to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American War. This proposal underscored the contentious issue of whether newly acquired lands should permit slavery, reflecting the growing tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States. The Proviso, although it did not ultimately pass, highlighted the deep divisions within the country regarding the expansion of slavery, which would later contribute to the outbreak of the Civil War. It represented a significant moment in the pre-Civil War era, as it brought the debate over slavery to the forefront of American politics, forcing a national conversation on the future of slavery in the United States.