What principle allows states to determine whether they will be free or slave states?

The principle that allows states to determine whether they will be free or slave states is known as popular sovereignty. This concept emerged in the mid-19th century, particularly in the context of the debate over the expansion of slavery into the territories acquired by the United States. Under popular sovereignty, the settlers of a territory had the right to decide whether they would permit slavery or not through a vote.

This principle became particularly significant with laws such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed the newly formed territories to choose their own status regarding slavery, thereby intensifying the sectional conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. Popular sovereignty illustrates the democratic ideal that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, allowing local populations to have input on critical issues like slavery.

In contrast, state rights focus on the powers and rights that individual states hold, which can intersect with the idea of popular sovereignty but does not specifically address the voting mechanism for slavery. Federal regulations refer to laws imposed by the federal government and are generally indicative of broader, nationwide policies rather than local decisions. Constitutional amendments, while integral to changing laws and principles at a national level, do not inherently provide a mechanism for local decision-making around issues like slavery.