In 1850 there was a mix of free and slave states and

territories. Why do you think this mix might have caused conflict with the

free states?

The mix might have caused conflict with the free states because they do not support slavery.

Explanation:

After winning the Mexican-American War, America gained one-third of its territory of Mexico, which consists of California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. A dispute arose as to whether slavery permitted in the new territories. The free states might have conflicted because they did not believe in slavery and considered it as Illegal. The slave states encouraged it and considered legal. The South economy based on plantation and slaves needed as laborers in cotton and other plantations.