Question

How did Congress attempt to maintain a balance of power between Northern and Southern states in the mid-1800s?

A) By keeping the number of free and slave states equal
B) By creating more free states than slave states
C) By creating more slave states than free states
D) By forming new political parties to address slavery

Answer 1

Congress aimed to maintain a balance between free and slave states to keep an equal power distribution between the North and South and avoid sectional conflict.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the mid-1800s, Congress attempted to maintain a balance of power between Northern and Southern states primarily by keeping the number of free and slave states equal. This effort was evident in measures such as the Missouri Compromise and later the Compromise of 1850, which aimed to create a balance in congressional representation and avoid tipping the scales in favor of either the pro-slavery or anti-slavery factions. The balance was crucial because it was seen as a matter of national security and was believed to maintain the peace between the regions. However, this balance was temporary and tensions continued to mount, leading to eventual conflict.