Question

Why was the decision about the end of slavery left up to the states?

Only people in the South were interested in the cause of abolition.
Slavery was not practiced in all states, so a national solution was not needed.
Northern states threatened to go to war if there was a national law about slavery.
People feared that a national policy would prevent unity between the states.

Answer 1

The most accurate explanation for why the decision about the end of slavery was left up to the states is **that people feared that a national policy would prevent unity between the states**.

During the early to mid-19th century, the United States was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. Many leaders believed that a unilateral national solution could exacerbate tensions between the North and South and potentially lead to their disunion. This concern contributed to the arrangement in which states had the authority to legislate their own laws regarding slavery. Balancing states' rights with national interests was a significant factor in the political discourse of the time, leading to compromises that sought to maintain the union without imposing a national stance on slavery.