Question

Representative David Wilmot of Pennsylvania wrote an amendment to an appropriations bill for the Mexican War in 1846, which stated that "there shall be no slavery or involuntary servitude in any territory acquired from Mexico." These words represented a key element of the _______.

• A. gradual abolitionist position of James Tallmadge.
• B. free Soil idea of the moderate antislavery politicians.
• C. immediate abolitionism of William Lloyd Garrison.
• D. nativist platform of the Know Nothing Party.
• E. popular sovereignty position.

Answer 1

The correct option is B free Soil idea of the moderate antislavery politicians.

The above mentioned words represented a key element of the free Soil idea of the moderate antislavery politicians. The Free Soldiers wanted to exclude slavery from the western territories, including the Mexican Cession, which the United States acquired in 1848 after the war with Mexico. They formed the Free Soil party in 1848 and many of them became Republicans after 1854.