What was the primary proposal of the Wilmot Proviso?

The primary proposal of the Wilmot Proviso was to prohibit slavery in any new territory acquired from Mexico following the Mexican-American War. Introduced by Congressman David Wilmot in 1846, the Proviso sought to address the contentious issue of whether the newly acquired lands would allow slavery. This proposal reflected the growing tensions between free and slave states, as it aimed to limit the expansion of slavery, which many believed would threaten the balance of power in Congress. By advocating for no slavery in those territories, the Wilmot Proviso became a significant point of contention in the debate over slavery's expansion, ultimately contributing to the wider sectional conflicts leading up to the Civil War. The focus on restricting slavery in new territories encapsulates the political and ethical dilemmas facing the nation during this period.