Subsequent to the Mexican War, America had acquired a vast majority of land in the West. With slavery in full swing in the southern states, there was much dispute over what to do with this land in regard to slavery. Should it be slave, free, or be decided by popular sovereignty? Ever since the 1820 Missouri Compromise, the balance between slave and free states had remained equal, and any new states could potentially disrupt this balance. Notably, there were a few key instances - Texas claimed possession over some land that it acquired from Mexico.…
