A map titled “Free and Slave States and Territories, 1845” shows the boundaries of states and territories and classifies them based on the legality of slavery there in 1845.
The following states and territories were free:
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Michigan
Indiana
Illinois
Wisconsin Territory
Unorganized Territory
Oregon Country
Slavery was still legal in the following states and territories:
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
Missouri
Arkansas
Louisiana
Florida Territory
an unnamed territory north of the Republic of Texas covering most of present-day Oklahoma.
Question
Use the map to answer the question.
What main reason Congress initially refused to annex Texas is supported by the information on this map? Select all that apply.
(1 point)
Responses
If the United States annexed Texas, it would almost certainly mean war with Mexico.
If the United States annexed Texas, it would almost certainly mean war with Mexico.
If the United States annexed Texas, it would enter as a free state and anger Southerners.
If the United States annexed Texas, it would enter as a free state and anger Southerners.
If the United States annexed Texas, slave states would almost certainly outnumber free states.
If the United States annexed Texas, slave states would almost certainly outnumber free states.
If the United States annexed Texas, it would jeopardize the country’s other claims in California.
The correct answers are:
- If the United States annexed Texas, it would almost certainly mean war with Mexico.
- If the United States annexed Texas, it would enter as a slave state and anger Southerners.
- If the United States annexed Texas, slave states would almost certainly outnumber free states.
only 2 answers
The correct answer is:
- If the United States annexed Texas, it would enter as a slave state and anger Southerners.
To determine the main reason Congress initially refused to annex Texas based on the information on the map, we need to analyze the details provided.
Looking at the map, we see that the territories of Texas, Florida, and an unnamed territory north of the Republic of Texas (covering most of present-day Oklahoma) were classified as slave states or territories where slavery was legal. On the other hand, the free states and territories were located primarily in the northern region of the United States.
From this information, we can deduce that if the United States were to annex Texas, it would enter as a slave state. This would inevitably upset the balance between slave states and free states in Congress. This leads us to the possible answer: "If the United States annexed Texas, slave states would almost certainly outnumber free states."
It is important to note that the map itself does not provide direct information on the reasons for Congress's initial refusal to annex Texas. However, the information on the map helps us understand the potential impact annexing Texas as a slave state would have had on the balance of power between free and slave states in Congress.