The Wilmot Proviso reignited the debate over the expansion of slavery into new territories. The bill passed the House of Representatives but failed to pass the Senate, where Southern senators opposed the amendment. The issue of slavery in the territories would continue to divide the country and play a major role in the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.
The intent of the Wilmot Proviso was to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories acquired by the United States. Although the amendment did not pass, the debate over slavery in the territories continued and played a major role in the outbreak of the Civil War.