Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What was the historical impact of the Compromise of 1850 on U.S. territories?

1. Increased sectional conflict over slavery

2. Quieted the debate over land ownership

3. Led to the immediate abolition of slavery

4. Strengthened the Southern economy

The correct answer is: Increased sectional conflict over slavery

The Compromise of 1850 played a crucial role in heightening sectional tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery. This series of legislative measures aimed to balance the interests of both slave-holding Southern states and free Northern states, reflecting the escalating division in the United States. The key components of the compromise included the admission of California as a free state, the establishment of territorial governments in New Mexico and Utah with the principle of popular sovereignty (allowing the settlers in those territories to decide on the legality of slavery), and the enactment of a stricter Fugitive Slave Law. These actions did not resolve the underlying conflicts but rather exacerbated them. For instance, the inclusion of the Fugitive Slave Law intensified Northern opposition to slavery, as many Northerners were forced to confront the realities of enforcing laws that protected the institution of slavery. The result was an increase in activism from abolitionist groups in the North and mounting resistance from those who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. The tensions culminated in violent confrontations, notably in "Bleeding Kansas," which directly stemmed from popular sovereignty provisions. Thus, the Compromise of 1850 is historically seen as a catalyst for increased sectional conflict, setting the stage