Unit 12 Riotto - A House Divided

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Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    In the 1850 Compromise, slavery in the Utah and New Territories was

    • A.

      To be banned

    • B.

      To be decided by the President

    • C.

      To be decided by popular sovereignty

    • D.

      To be ignored until statehood

    • E.

      To be decided by the Supreme Court

    Correct Answer
    C. To be decided by popular sovereignty
    Explanation
    The 1850 Compromise was a series of laws passed to address the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories. The correct answer, "to be decided by popular sovereignty," means that the decision on whether to allow or ban slavery in the Utah and New Territories would be made by the residents of those territories themselves through a popular vote. This was a compromise between those who wanted to ban slavery and those who wanted to allow it, allowing the people living in the territories to have a say in the matter.

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  • 2. 

    The 1850 fugitive Slave Law included all of the following except

    • A.

      The requirement that fugitive slaves be returned from Canada

    • B.

      The denial of a jury trial to runaway slaves

    • C.

      The denial of the right of runaway slaves to testify on their own behalf

    • D.

      Increased fine and/or imprisonment for people who helped runaway slaves

    • E.

      A reinforcement of Article IV of the Constitution

    Correct Answer
    A. The requirement that fugitive slaves be returned from Canada
    Explanation
    The 1850 Fugitive Slave Law included several provisions that aimed to strengthen the enforcement of the capture and return of runaway slaves. It denied a jury trial to runaway slaves, denied them the right to testify on their own behalf, and increased penalties for individuals who assisted runaway slaves. Additionally, it reinforced Article IV of the Constitution, which stated that escaped slaves must be returned to their owners. However, the law did not specifically require the return of fugitive slaves from Canada, making this the correct answer.

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  • 3. 

    The personal liberty laws passed by many northern states was in response to 

    • A.

      Slavery in D.C.

    • B.

      Slavery in the territories

    • C.

      The 1820 Compromise

    • D.

      The 1850 Compromise

    • E.

      The 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act

    Correct Answer
    D. The 1850 Compromise
    Explanation
    The personal liberty laws passed by many northern states were a response to the 1850 Compromise. The 1850 Compromise was a series of laws aimed at resolving the issue of slavery in the newly acquired territories from the Mexican-American War. It included provisions such as the Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of escaped slaves to their owners. The personal liberty laws were enacted by northern states to counteract the Fugitive Slave Act and protect the rights of free African Americans living in the North. These laws made it more difficult for slave catchers to apprehend and return escaped slaves, providing legal protections for those seeking freedom.

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  • 4. 

    The 1852 presidential election

    • A.

      Resulted in a southern Democrat as president

    • B.

      Resulted in a split in the Democratic Party

    • C.

      Marked the end of the Whig Party

    • D.

      Marked the first appearance of the Free Soil Party

    • E.

      Resulted in the creation of the Republican Party

    Correct Answer
    C. Marked the end of the Whig Party
    Explanation
    The 1852 presidential election marked the end of the Whig Party. This means that the election had a significant impact on the Whig Party, leading to its demise or dissolution. The election likely resulted in the loss of support or cohesion within the party, ultimately leading to its downfall.

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  • 5. 

    Stephen Douglas proposed that slavery in the Kansas and Nebraska Territories be

    • A.

      Decided by the President

    • B.

      Decided by the Supreme Court

    • C.

      Decided by the Congress

    • D.

      Decided by the residents of those territories

    • E.

      Decided after statehood

    Correct Answer
    D. Decided by the residents of those territories
    Explanation
    Stephen Douglas proposed that the issue of slavery in the Kansas and Nebraska Territories be decided by the residents of those territories. This was known as popular sovereignty, which meant that the residents of each territory would vote and decide whether or not to allow slavery. Douglas believed that this would be a fair and democratic way to determine the status of slavery in these territories.

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  • 6. 

    Stephen Douglas' plans for the Kansas and Nebraska Territories required the

    • A.

      Repeal of the Northwest Ordinance

    • B.

      Repeal of the Missouri Compromise

    • C.

      Repeal of the Tariff of Abominations

    • D.

      Repeal of the Wilmot Proviso

    Correct Answer
    B. Repeal of the Missouri Compromise
    Explanation
    Stephen Douglas' plans for the Kansas and Nebraska Territories required the repeal of the Missouri Compromise because the Missouri Compromise of 1820 had established a line (36°30' parallel) dividing the territories into slave and free states. Douglas wanted to create a policy of popular sovereignty, allowing the residents of each territory to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery or not. By repealing the Missouri Compromise, Douglas aimed to open up the possibility of slavery expanding into previously prohibited territories, giving more power to the settlers and undermining the previous compromise on the issue of slavery.

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  • 7. 

    Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin

    • A.

      Was a first hand account of slavery

    • B.

      Was sold only in the US

    • C.

      Was a romanticized account of slavery

    • D.

      Had little influence on the abolitionist movement

    • E.

      Had a huge political impact

    Correct Answer
    E. Had a huge political impact
    Explanation
    Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe had a huge political impact. The novel, published in 1852, played a significant role in shaping public opinion and increasing support for the abolitionist movement. It exposed the harsh realities of slavery and depicted the suffering of enslaved individuals, which stirred emotions and created empathy among readers. The book ignited discussions and debates about the morality of slavery, ultimately contributing to the growing anti-slavery sentiment in the United States. Its political impact was evident in the years leading up to the American Civil War, as it helped to mobilize and galvanize the abolitionist movement.

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  • 8. 

    In "Bleeding Kansas," _______ was proslavery and _______ was antislavery

    • A.

      John Brown, Preston Brooks

    • B.

      Stephen Douglas, Andrew Butler

    • C.

      The Lecompton Constitution, the New England Emigrant Aid Society

    • D.

      Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman

    • E.

      Dred Scott, Harriet Scott

    Correct Answer
    C. The Lecompton Constitution, the New England Emigrant Aid Society
    Explanation
    During the time of "Bleeding Kansas," the Lecompton Constitution was a proslavery document that aimed to admit Kansas as a slave state. On the other hand, the New England Emigrant Aid Society was an antislavery organization that supported the settlement of free-soilers in Kansas. These two entities represented the opposing sides in the conflict over the expansion of slavery into Kansas, with the Lecompton Constitution advocating for slavery and the New England Emigrant Aid Society promoting antislavery sentiments.

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  • 9. 

    "Bleeding Congress" refers to the can beating of ______ by _______.

    • A.

      Charles Sumner, Andrew Butler

    • B.

      Andrew Butler, Charles Sumner

    • C.

      Charles Sumner, Preston Brooks

    • D.

      Preston Brooks, Charles Sumner

    • E.

      Charles Sumner, John Brown

    Correct Answer
    C. Charles Sumner, Preston Brooks
    Explanation
    The term "Bleeding Congress" refers to the infamous incident where Charles Sumner was brutally beaten by Preston Brooks on the floor of the Senate. Therefore, the correct answer is Charles Sumner, Preston Brooks.

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  • 10. 

    The Know Nothing Party's main thrust during the 1856 presidential campaign

    • A.

      Was popular sovereignty

    • B.

      Was expansionism

    • C.

      Proslavery

    • D.

      Abolitionism

    • E.

      Nativism

    Correct Answer
    E. Nativism
    Explanation
    The correct answer is nativism. The Know Nothing Party, also known as the American Party, was a political party in the United States that emerged in the 1850s. Their main focus during the 1856 presidential campaign was nativism, which is the policy of favoring native-born individuals over immigrants. The party was strongly anti-immigrant and sought to restrict the political power and influence of immigrants, particularly those from Catholic countries. They believed that immigrants were a threat to American values and jobs, and advocated for stricter immigration laws and increased naturalization requirements.

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  • 11. 

    The 1856 presidential election

    • A.

      Resulted in a southern Democrat as president

    • B.

      Resulted in a southern Republican as president

    • C.

      Resulted in a northern Republican as president

    • D.

      Showed that the Republican Party was a political force to be contended with

    • E.

      Resulted in a victory for the American Party

    Correct Answer
    D. Showed that the Republican Party was a political force to be contended with
    Explanation
    The 1856 presidential election showed that the Republican Party was a political force to be contended with. This is because the election marked the first time that the Republican Party had a candidate running for president, John C. Frémont. Although Frémont did not win the election, he received a significant number of votes and demonstrated that the newly formed Republican Party had gained enough support to be a viable political contender. This result indicated that the Republican Party was becoming a major player in American politics and would continue to have a significant impact in future elections.

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  • 12. 

    President James Buchanan's support of the Lecompton Constitution

    • A.

      Further divided the Democratic Party

    • B.

      Got Kansas admitted as a slave state

    • C.

      Divided the Republican Party

    • D.

      Marked the end of the American Party

    • E.

      None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Further divided the Democratic Party
    Explanation
    President James Buchanan's support of the Lecompton Constitution caused further division within the Democratic Party. The Lecompton Constitution was a proposed constitution for the state of Kansas that supported the expansion of slavery. Buchanan's endorsement of this constitution went against the beliefs of many Northern Democrats who opposed the spread of slavery. This disagreement led to a split within the party, with Southern Democrats supporting Buchanan's stance and Northern Democrats opposing it. The division within the Democratic Party ultimately weakened the party's unity and contributed to the growing tensions over the issue of slavery in the United States.

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  • 13. 

    For northerners, the most outrageous part of the Dred Scott decision was 

    • A.

      That Scott had no right to sue

    • B.

      That Scott did not automatically become free when he lived in free territory

    • C.

      That Congress had no right to prohibit slavery in the territories

    • D.

      That Scott was not a citizen

    • E.

      That the President had no right to prohibit slavery in the territories

    Correct Answer
    C. That Congress had no right to prohibit slavery in the territories
    Explanation
    The most outrageous part of the Dred Scott decision for northerners was that Congress had no right to prohibit slavery in the territories. This decision meant that slavery could potentially spread into new territories, which was seen as a threat to the anti-slavery movement in the North. It undermined the efforts of those who wanted to limit the expansion of slavery and was a blow to the idea of popular sovereignty, where the residents of a territory could decide whether to allow slavery or not. This decision further deepened the divide between the North and the South on the issue of slavery.

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  • 14. 

    The Lincoln-Douglas debates resulted in

    • A.

      Douglas's reelection to the Senate

    • B.

      Lincoln's election to the Senate

    • C.

      Douglas's election to the Presidency

    • D.

      Lincoln's election to the House

    • E.

      Lincoln's "House Divided" speech

    Correct Answer
    E. Lincoln's "House Divided" speech
    Explanation
    The Lincoln-Douglas debates resulted in Lincoln's "House Divided" speech. The debates were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during the 1858 Illinois Senate campaign. In his speech, Lincoln discussed the issue of slavery and the division it caused in the country. The speech gained national attention and helped to establish Lincoln as a prominent political figure. It also set the stage for his eventual election as President in 1860.

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  • 15. 

    The Harper's Ferry raid resulted in 

    • A.

      The election of Buchanan

    • B.

      The Dred Scott decision

    • C.

      The Lincoln-Douglas debates

    • D.

      John Brown's execution

    • E.

      Elijah Lovejoy's murder

    Correct Answer
    D. John Brown's execution
    Explanation
    The Harper's Ferry raid, led by abolitionist John Brown, was an attempt to start a slave rebellion in the South. Brown and his followers seized the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. The raid ultimately failed, with Brown being captured by U.S. Marines. He was tried and convicted of treason, murder, and conspiracy, and was subsequently executed. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is John Brown's execution.

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  • 16. 

    In the 1860 presidential election, Lincoln

    • A.

      Won the Border states of DE, MD, KY, MO

    • B.

      Won a simple majority of the popular votes

    • C.

      Won a few of the slave states

    • D.

      Won every free state

    • E.

      Lost to Douglas

    Correct Answer
    D. Won every free state
    Explanation
    In the 1860 presidential election, Lincoln won every free state. This means that he secured the majority of the votes in states where slavery was not allowed. This was a significant achievement for Lincoln, as it demonstrated his popularity and support among the non-slaveholding states. Winning every free state also helped Lincoln secure the necessary electoral votes to become the President of the United States.

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  • 17. 

    Which of the following states the principle of "popular sovereignty?"

    • A.

      Congress has the right to decide where slavery shall and shall not exist

    • B.

      The settlers in a given territory have the sole right to decide whether or not slavery will be permitted there

    • C.

      Individual citizens can decide for themselves whether or not to hold slaves

    • D.

      The American people shall decide where slavery will exist through a national plebiscite

    • E.

      Individual states have the right to reject congressional decisions pertaining to slavery

    Correct Answer
    B. The settlers in a given territory have the sole right to decide whether or not slavery will be permitted there
    Explanation
    The principle of "popular sovereignty" states that the settlers in a given territory have the sole right to decide whether or not slavery will be permitted there. This means that the people living in a particular area have the power to determine their own laws and regulations regarding slavery, rather than having those decisions made by a central authority such as Congress or the American people as a whole. This principle was a key aspect of the debate over slavery in the United States during the 19th century, as it allowed for local control and decision-making on this contentious issue.

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  • 18. 

    Which of the following statements about the Dred Scott decisions is correct?

    • A.

      It recognized the power of Congress to prohibit slavery in the territories, but refused on technical grounds to free Scott

    • B.

      It stated that all Black people were not citizens of the US

    • C.

      It upheld the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise

    • D.

      It upheld the principle of popular sovereignty

    • E.

      The freed Scott, but not other slaves in circumstances similar to Scott's

    Correct Answer
    B. It stated that all Black people were not citizens of the US
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that the Dred Scott decision stated that all Black people were not citizens of the US. This decision, made by the Supreme Court in 1857, declared that Black people, whether enslaved or free, were not considered citizens and therefore did not have the right to sue in federal court. This ruling had significant implications for the status and rights of Black individuals in the United States at that time.

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  • 19. 

    The primary objective of the Know-Nothing Party was the 

    • A.

      Abolition of slavery

    • B.

      Establishment of free public schools

    • C.

      Improvements of factory working conditions

    • D.

      Prohibition of communitarian experiments

    • E.

      Restriction of the rights of immigrants

    Correct Answer
    E. Restriction of the rights of immigrants
    Explanation
    The Know-Nothing Party, also known as the American Party, was a political party in the United States during the mid-19th century. Their primary objective was to restrict the rights of immigrants. The party was formed in response to the large wave of Irish and German immigrants coming to the country, and they sought to limit their political power and influence. The Know-Nothings believed that immigrants posed a threat to native-born Americans and wanted to enact laws to restrict their rights and opportunities. They advocated for stricter naturalization laws and wanted to limit immigrants' access to public office and voting rights.

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  • 20. 

    The graph above refutes which of the following statements

    • A.

      There were more Black people than White people in the antebellum south

    • B.

      Most southern families held slaves

    • C.

      Most southern families lived rural areas

    • D.

      The southern population was much smaller than that of the North

    • E.

      Slaveholders were an extremely powerful group

    Correct Answer
    B. Most southern families held slaves
    Explanation
    The graph above refutes the statement that most southern families held slaves. The graph shows that only a small percentage of white families in the antebellum South actually owned slaves. Therefore, it can be concluded that the majority of southern families did not hold slaves.

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  • 21. 

    Which of the following provisions of the Compromise of 1850 provoked the most controversy in the 1850s

    • A.

      The admission of California as a free state

    • B.

      The establishment of the principle of popular sovereignty in the Mexican Cession

    • C.

      The ban on the slave trade in D.C.

    • D.

      The continued protection slavery in D.C.

    • E.

      The strengthened Fugitive Slave Law

    Correct Answer
    E. The strengthened Fugitive Slave Law
    Explanation
    The strengthened Fugitive Slave Law provoked the most controversy in the 1850s. This law required the capture and return of escaped slaves, even in free states, and imposed harsh penalties on those who aided or harbored fugitive slaves. It was seen as a direct violation of personal liberties and an encroachment on states' rights. The law further intensified tensions between the North and the South, as it highlighted the stark differences in attitudes towards slavery. The Fugitive Slave Law became a focal point of resistance and opposition, fueling the abolitionist movement and contributing to the eventual outbreak of the Civil War.

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  • 22. 

    The Republican Party originated in the mid-1850s as a sectional party committted to which of the following?

    • A.

      Opposition to the further extension of slavery into the territories

    • B.

      Immediate emancipation of the slaves

    • C.

      Repeal of Whig economic policies

    • D.

      Restriction of immigration

    • E.

      Acknowledgement of popular sovereignty as the basis for organizing federal territories

    Correct Answer
    A. Opposition to the further extension of slavery into the territories
    Explanation
    The Republican Party originated in the mid-1850s as a sectional party committed to opposing the further extension of slavery into the territories. This means that they were against allowing slavery to spread into new territories that were being acquired by the United States. This position was a major factor in the party's formation and was a key issue during the time leading up to the Civil War. The Republican Party's stance on opposing the expansion of slavery eventually led to the election of Abraham Lincoln, who became the first Republican president and played a pivotal role in the abolition of slavery.

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  • 23. 

    Which of the following principles was established by the Dred Scott decision?

    • A.

      Congress could abolish slavery at will

    • B.

      National legislation could not limit the spread of slavery into the territories

    • C.

      The rights of all people are protected by the Constitution

    • D.

      Slaves residing in a free state automatically became free

    • E.

      Through squatter sovereignty, a territory had the sole right to determine the status of slavery within its territorial limits

    Correct Answer
    B. National legislation could not limit the spread of slavery into the territories
    Explanation
    The Dred Scott decision established that national legislation could not limit the spread of slavery into the territories. This decision, made by the Supreme Court in 1857, declared that Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in the western territories. It also ruled that slaves were property and not citizens, and therefore could not sue for their freedom. This decision further fueled tensions between the North and the South, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.

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  • 24. 

    The Compromise of 1850 did which of the following?

    • A.

      Admitted Texas to the Union as a free state

    • B.

      Admitted California to the Union under the principles of popular sovereignty

    • C.

      Prohibited slavery in D.C.

    • D.

      Enacted a stringent fugitive slave law

    • E.

      Adjusted the Texas-Mexico Boundary

    Correct Answer
    D. Enacted a stringent fugitive slave law
    Explanation
    The Compromise of 1850 enacted a stringent fugitive slave law. This law required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even if they had reached free states. It also imposed penalties on those who aided or harbored fugitive slaves. The law was a significant concession to the Southern states in an attempt to maintain the delicate balance between free and slave states. It was highly controversial and intensified the tensions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery.

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  • 25. 

    Which of the following best describes the position on slavery of most northerners during the sectional crises of the 1850s?

    • A.

      They were willing to accept slavery where it existed but opposed further expansion to the territories

    • B.

      The were active supporters of complete abolition

    • C.

      They favored continued importation of slaves from Africa

    • D.

      They advocated expansion of the slave system to provide cheap labor for northern factories

    • E.

      They advocated complete social and political equality for all races in the U.S.

    Correct Answer
    A. They were willing to accept slavery where it existed but opposed further expansion to the territories
    Explanation
    Most northerners during the sectional crises of the 1850s were willing to accept slavery where it existed but opposed further expansion to the territories. This means that while they may have accepted the existence of slavery in states where it was already legal, they did not want it to spread to new territories. This position reflects the growing tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery, as the North sought to limit its expansion while the South wanted to expand it.

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  • 26. 

    The first attempt to apply the doctrine of popular sovereignty in determining the status of slavery occured in 

    • A.

      Texas

    • B.

      California

    • C.

      Kansas

    • D.

      Missouri

    • E.

      Oregon

    Correct Answer
    C. Kansas
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Kansas. The first attempt to apply the doctrine of popular sovereignty in determining the status of slavery occurred in Kansas. Popular sovereignty was the idea that the people of a territory should decide for themselves whether to allow slavery or not. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, which allowed the residents of Kansas to vote on whether to allow slavery. This led to a violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, known as "Bleeding Kansas," and highlighted the deep divisions over the issue of slavery in the United States.

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  • 27. 

    The Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case in 1857 effectively repealed 

    • A.

      The Missouri Compromise

    • B.

      The Fugitive Slave Act

    • C.

      The Ostend Manifesto

    • D.

      The Wilmot Proviso

    • E.

      The 11th Amendment to the Constitution

    Correct Answer
    A. The Missouri Compromise
    Explanation
    The Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case in 1857 effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise. The Missouri Compromise was a legislative agreement that prohibited slavery in certain territories, but the Supreme Court's ruling in the Dred Scott case declared that Congress did not have the power to exclude slavery from any territory. This decision invalidated the Missouri Compromise and further heightened tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States, ultimately leading to the Civil War.

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  • 28. 

    DE

    • A.

      Free

    • B.

      Slave

    • C.

      Pop. sov.

    Correct Answer
    B. Slave
  • 29. 

    MD

    • A.

      Free

    • B.

      Slave

    • C.

      Pop. sov.

    Correct Answer
    B. Slave
    Explanation
    The given options "MD," "free," "slave," and "pop. sov." are all abbreviations. Among these options, "slave" is the only one that is a commonly used abbreviation for the term "slavery." The other options do not have a clear connection to the concept of slavery. Therefore, "slave" is the correct answer.

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  • 30. 

    D.C.

    • A.

      Free

    • B.

      Slave

    • C.

      Pop. sov.

    Correct Answer
    B. Slave
    Explanation
    The given options are "free," "slave," and "pop. sov." Out of these options, "slave" is the correct answer. The abbreviation "D.C." stands for "District of Columbia," which was a hub for the slave trade during the time of American slavery. Therefore, the correct answer is "slave," as it relates to the historical context of the District of Columbia.

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  • Mar 21, 2023
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  • Jun 17, 2012
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