The southern demand that slavery be allowed to expand into the territories seems to have been motivated by the

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The southern demand for slavery to expand into the territories was motivated by the fear that free territories could be used as bases for spreading abolitionism into the South. Southerners were worried that limiting the expansion of slavery would mean that the South would be outnumbered in the Senate and would be gradually outnumbered in the House due to the growing population of the North. This would allow for the passage of antislavery legislation in Congress, which could eventually lead to the abolition of slavery. Therefore, the South wanted to ensure that slavery could expand into new territories to maintain its political power and protect the institution of slavery.

The Southern Demand That Slavery Be Allowed to Expand into the Territories