Question

what did “states’ rights” mean in regard to the 1954 kansas - nebraska act? all the states, including free northern states, should allow slavery. state laws superseded federal laws on the issue of slavery. new states like kansas and nebraska were not bound by the fugitive slave act. voters in each new state would have the right to decide whether slavery would be allowed in that state.

Explanation:

The Kansas - Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed for popular sovereignty, meaning voters in new states like Kansas and Nebraska could decide on the issue of slavery. This was an application of the concept of states' rights in the context of slavery. The Fugitive Slave Act was a federal law, and the act did not imply that new states were not bound by it. Also, state laws did not supersede federal laws on slavery, and it was not about all states (including free northern states) allowing slavery.

Answer:

Voters in each new state would have the right to decide whether slavery would be allowed in that state.