TExES Social Studies Content Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Kansas-Nebraska Act, enacted in 1854, introduced the concept of popular sovereignty, which allowed the residents of each territory—Kansas and Nebraska—to determine for themselves whether they would permit or prohibit slavery within their borders. This act effectively nullified the Missouri Compromise, which had previously established a boundary for slavery in the western territories. By allowing the inhabitants to make this crucial decision, the Act aimed to address tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, but it ultimately led to significant conflict, exemplified by the violent confrontations known as "Bleeding Kansas." This historical context highlights the importance of the authority given to local populations over the federal government in determining the legality of slavery in their territories.