Missouri Compromise

Definition

The Missouri Compromise was an agreement made in 1820 that aimed to balance the power between slave and free states in the United States. It allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state while Maine entered as a free state, and it established a line at latitude 36°30' north of which slavery was prohibited in the Louisiana Territory, highlighting the growing sectional tensions over slavery.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Missouri Compromise was proposed by Henry Clay, who sought to maintain the balance of power between slave and free states.
2. This compromise led to the admission of Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, keeping the number of slave and free states equal at 12 each.
3. The established line at 36°30' north became a significant geographical marker that influenced future debates over slavery in newly acquired territories.
4. Although it temporarily eased tensions, the Missouri Compromise was ultimately seen as a short-term solution that failed to resolve underlying issues surrounding slavery.
5. The Missouri Compromise was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott decision in 1857, which further intensified sectional conflict.

Review Questions

• How did the Missouri Compromise attempt to address the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories?
  • The Missouri Compromise addressed slavery by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, thus maintaining an equal number of slave and free states. Additionally, it established the 36°30' latitude line, which prohibited slavery in territories north of this line. This compromise sought to create a temporary balance between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions but ultimately highlighted the deepening divides within the nation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Missouri Compromise in alleviating sectional tensions over slavery during its time.
  • While the Missouri Compromise initially succeeded in reducing tensions by balancing the number of slave and free states, it was not a lasting solution. The agreement merely postponed conflict over slavery, as it failed to address the fundamental disagreements about the institution itself. Over time, issues such as the expansion of slavery into new territories continued to fuel sectional disputes, demonstrating that compromises were becoming increasingly difficult to achieve.
• Analyze how the Missouri Compromise laid the groundwork for future conflicts regarding slavery leading up to the Civil War.
  • The Missouri Compromise set a precedent for how Congress would handle issues of slavery in new territories but also illustrated the limitations of compromise. By establishing a geographical boundary for slavery, it created divisions that would resurface with each new territory seeking statehood. The failure to create a permanent resolution led to increased polarization between North and South, culminating in events such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act and eventually contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.

Related terms

Compromise of 1850: A package of five legislative acts passed in 1850 aimed at resolving disputes between free and slave states, including the admission of California as a free state and strengthening the Fugitive Slave Act.

Sectionalism:

The division of the United States into distinct regions with different interests and priorities, particularly regarding slavery, leading to increased tensions between the North and South.

Fugitive Slave Act:

A law enacted in 1850 that required citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves and imposed penalties on those who aided their escape, heightening tensions between Northern and Southern states.