Question

California’s request to join the Union in 1850 would have.. A. Given free states an advantage over slaves B. Given slave states an advantage over free states C. Extended slavery into a territory acquired from Mexico D. Restored the balance between free and slave states

Answer 1

The correct answer is B.

Having California enter the US would give the free states more power in the Senate than the slave states. The goal of Congress at this time was to keep the same amount of free and slave states. To fix this, Henry Clay helped organized the Compromise of 1850. This would give both free states and slave states something that they wanted. This deal allows California to officially enter the US.