Match each of the following with the best description of its impact on slavery in the United States.

Question

prohibited slavery north of a specific boundary established by the government
determined the legality of slavery in territory acquired through the Mexican-American War
established that Congress did not have the constitutional authority to ban slavery in the territories and that African Americans were not citizens of the United States
repealed a previous piece of legislation and introduced the concept of popular sovereignty by allowing territories to decide whether to allow slavery within their borders

Answer 1

1. Prohibited slavery north of a specific boundary established by the government: This describes the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which prohibited slavery in the northern part of the Louisiana Purchase, above the 36°30′ parallel.

2. Determined the legality of slavery in territory acquired through the Mexican-American War: This refers to the Compromise of 1850, particularly the component related to the status of territories gained from Mexico, which included the provision for the potential legality of slavery in the new territories.

3. Established that Congress did not have the constitutional authority to ban slavery in the territories and that African Americans were not citizens of the United States: This describes the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision of 1857, which ruled that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories and that African Americans were not citizens.

4. Repealed a previous piece of legislation and introduced the concept of popular sovereignty by allowing territories to decide whether to allow slavery within their borders: This pertains to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed the settlers in those territories to decide on the legality of slavery (popular sovereignty).