How many residents must be in a territory before it can apply for statehood?

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Multiple Choice

How many residents must be in a territory before it can apply for statehood?

Explanation:
Population size determines when a territory can apply for statehood. Historically, the United States required a territory to reach 60,000 free inhabitants before it could draft a state constitution and petition Congress for admission as a state. This 60,000 threshold ensured the new state would have a substantial population to support a functioning government and representation. Once that population level was reached, the territory could organize a government, draft a constitution, and pursue admission to the Union. The other numbers don’t match this established rule, so 60,000 is the figure that fits the process.

Population size determines when a territory can apply for statehood. Historically, the United States required a territory to reach 60,000 free inhabitants before it could draft a state constitution and petition Congress for admission as a state. This 60,000 threshold ensured the new state would have a substantial population to support a functioning government and representation. Once that population level was reached, the territory could organize a government, draft a constitution, and pursue admission to the Union. The other numbers don’t match this established rule, so 60,000 is the figure that fits the process.

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