What major topic was debated in the Old Senate Chamber?

The Old Senate Chamber, located in the U.S. Capitol building, served as the meeting place for the Senate from 1810 until 1867. During this period, one of the major issues that dominated discussions was slavery. The chamber was the site where significant debates occurred as Senators grappled with the complexities and moral implications of slavery in the context of American society, politics, and economy.

These debates included discussions on the expansion of slavery into new territories, the rights of slaveholders, and the impact of abolitionist movements. The divisive nature of the slavery issue contributed significantly to the tensions that ultimately led to the American Civil War. Consequently, the Old Senate Chamber stands as a historical landmark where monumental decisions and debates regarding slavery shaped the course of the nation’s history.

The other options, like women's rights, tax reform, and civil rights, although important in their contexts, became more prominent in later years or were affected by the outcomes of the debates surrounding slavery and its implications in American legislation and society.