Question

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

People feared that a national policy would prevent unity between the states.
Northern states threatened to go to war if there was a national law about slavery.
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.

Answer 1

People feared that a national policy would prevent unity between the states.

Explanation: To keep the new Union together and secure ratification of the Constitution, leaders compromised by leaving slavery decisions to the states (states' rights), avoiding a national law that might alienate Southern states.