What proposal sought to ban slavery in all territories acquired from Mexico?

The Wilmot Proviso was an important legislative proposal introduced in 1846 by Congressman David Wilmot, seeking to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American War. This proposal was rooted in the intense debates over the expansion of slavery into new territories, which heightened sectional tensions between the North and South in the United States.

The significance of the Wilmot Proviso lies in its challenge to the status quo surrounding slavery and its role in shaping the landscape of American politics. It aimed to halt the spread of slavery, reflecting the sentiments of many Northerners who were opposed to the practice. Although it did not pass in Congress, it invigorated the abolitionist movement and led to the creation of new political alignments, including the birth of the Republican Party, which was staunchly anti-slavery.

In contrast, the other options represent different historical approaches to the slavery issue. The Missouri Compromise dealt with the balance of slave and free states rather than specific territories acquired from Mexico. The Compromise of 1850 introduced several measures to address the status of territories but did not explicitly seek to ban slavery in newly acquired lands. The Free Soil Doctrine advocated for free soil being available for settlers, but it was not