The British blockade had hurt New England's sea trade. Also, many New Englanders feared that the United States might win land in
Florida and Canada. If new states were carved out of these lands, the South and the West would become more influential than New England. Delegates from around New England met in Hartford, Connecticut, in December 1814. Most were Federalists. They disliked the Democratic Republican President and the war.
Some delegates to the Hartford Convention threatened to nullify, or cancel, the state of war in their states if the war continued. Others threatened to leave the Union.
Then, while the delegates debated what to do, news of the peace treaty arrived. The Hartford Convention ended quickly. With the war over, the protest was meaningless. In the end, the threat of secession further weakened the dying Federalist party.
Based on this excerpt from the text, how did news of the peace treaty weaken the Federalist party?
A.
They were now subject to remaining in the Union.
B.
The party's efforts seemed pointless and disloyal.
C.
They were now unable to negotiate new political landscapes.
D.
They were now forced to support the United States' expansion into Canada.
