What was the main objective of the Wilmot Proviso in 1846?

The main objective of the Wilmot Proviso in 1846 was to ensure that any territory acquired from Mexico during the Mexican-American War would be designated as free soil, meaning the prohibition of slavery. This legislative proposal aimed to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories, reflecting the growing tensions between free and slave states in the United States.

The Proviso was introduced by Congressman David Wilmot and highlighted the contentious debate around slavery's extension into the western territories. It was significant in the lead-up to the Civil War, as it underscored the divisions between the North and South over the issue of slavery.

The focus on the territories gained from Mexico was important, as it played a crucial role in the political landscape at that time, ultimately contributing to the formation of new political movements and parties centered around the issue of slavery.