Which situation was affected depending on whether a state was admitted as a free state or a slave state?
A. representation in Congress
B. number of Supreme Court justices
C. amount of Western land available for settlement
D. existing treaties with Native american tribes
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Im not sure. I think mabye A?
I agree.
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The situation that was affected depending on whether a state was admitted as a free state or a slave state was A. representation in Congress.
To understand why this was the case, it is important to have some background knowledge on the historical context of the United States. During the early 19th century, the issue of slavery was a contentious topic that deeply divided the country. The United States was expanding westward, and with each new state admitted into the Union, the question of whether it would be a free state (where slavery was illegal) or a slave state (where slavery was legal) became a key issue.
The admission of free states or slave states had significant implications for the balance of power in Congress between the North and the South. At the time, the United States operated on a system known as the "Three-Fifths Compromise." This compromise determined that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of determining a state's population in relation to representation in Congress.
Every state, regardless of its population, is entitled to at least one representative in the House of Representatives. However, the number of representatives allotted to each state is also determined by the state's population. By admitting more free states, where slavery was illegal, the population of enslaved individuals would be reduced, thus affecting the balance of power in Congress.
The representation in Congress played a crucial role in shaping legislation, policy, and decision-making at the federal level. More representatives from free states would provide greater political power to those who opposed slavery, potentially leading to the passage of laws and policies that favored the abolitionist cause or limited the expansion of slavery.
In summary, the situation that was affected depending on whether a state was admitted as a free state or a slave state was representation in Congress. The admission of free states or slave states had implications for the balance of power between the North and the South, as well as for the political landscape and policies of the United States as a whole.