"Provided, that, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory." — David Wilmot, Wilmot Proviso, 1846
Wilmot's purpose in proposing this rider was best described as which of the following?
- A
Extending the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific
- B
Abolishing slavery throughout the existing United States
- Ccheck_circle
Barring slavery from any lands acquired in the Mexican-American War
- D
Annexing Texas as a free state
Explanation
The Proviso targeted only territory taken from Mexico, not existing states. It rejected, rather than extended, the 36°30' line; Texas was already annexed in 1845.