Question

What best characterizes the doctrine of popular sovereignty?

1. Missouri was admitted as a slave state; Maine as a free state
2.the issue of slavery in the territories was to be decided through governmental bodies
3. Congress could determine the issue of slavery in the territories

Answer 1

According to the doctrine, the residents of the territories decide the issue of slavery, so 2. the issue of slavery in the territories was to be decided through governmental bodies

Answer 2

The correct answer is 2) The issue of slavery in the territories was to be decided through governmental bodies.

The doctrine of popular sovereignty is best characterized by the issue of slavery in the territories was to be decided through governmental bodies.

The doctrine of popular sovereignty said that people in their own territories had to decide if they accepted slavery or not, which means that if they wanted to enter the Union as a state that allowed slavery or prohibited slavery. The doctrine generated controversy in many of the states.