Which resolution banned discussions and petitions regarding the abolition of slavery in Congress from 1836 to 1844?

The Gag Resolution was a significant congressional measure that effectively prohibited any discussion or petitions related to the abolition of slavery within Congress from 1836 until 1844. This resolution was introduced in response to the growing petitions from anti-slavery groups and was viewed by many Southerners as necessary to maintain peace and prevent debates that could lead to sectional tensions.

The resolution was adopted largely due to the fear among pro-slavery advocates that open discussions about abolition would incite unrest and threaten the institution of slavery, especially in the Southern states. It reflected the intense divisions in American society at the time regarding slavery, as well as the political maneuvers aimed at suppressing dissent on the issue.

In contrast, other options such as the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska Act dealt with different aspects of the sectional conflict—specifically, the extension of slavery into new territories—while the Fugitive Slave Act focused on the legal obligation to return escaped slaves. These pieces of legislation did not impose a ban on congressional discussions about slavery itself, highlighting how the Gag Resolution was particularly aimed at curtailing debate and maintaining the status quo regarding slavery in the political arena.