Missouri Compromise

Definition

The Missouri Compromise was a legislative agreement passed in 1820 that aimed to maintain the balance between free and slave states in the United States. It allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state while Maine was admitted as a free state, keeping the number of free and slave states equal. This compromise also established a boundary line at the 36°30′ parallel, north of which slavery was prohibited in future states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Missouri Compromise was introduced by Henry Clay, who was known as the 'Great Compromiser' for his efforts in resolving sectional conflicts.
2. The compromise marked a significant moment in U.S. history as it temporarily eased tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery.
3. The agreement set a precedent for future compromises regarding slavery, though it ultimately failed to resolve the growing divisions within the country.
4. The 36°30′ line established by the compromise became a significant marker for future debates about slavery in new territories.
5. The Missouri Compromise was eventually deemed ineffective as tensions over slavery continued to escalate, leading up to the Civil War.

Review Questions

• How did the Missouri Compromise attempt to address the issue of slavery in new states entering the Union?
  • The Missouri Compromise sought to balance the number of free and slave states by allowing Missouri to join as a slave state while admitting Maine as a free state. This approach aimed to prevent any shift in power between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Congress. Additionally, it established a geographic boundary at the 36°30′ parallel, north of which slavery was prohibited, further attempting to manage future states' status regarding slavery.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Missouri Compromise on U.S. politics leading up to the Civil War.
  • While the Missouri Compromise temporarily eased tensions between North and South, it set a dangerous precedent by highlighting the deep divisions within the country over slavery. The establishment of a boundary for slavery fueled further conflict, such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which effectively nullified the compromise by allowing local populations to decide on slavery. Ultimately, these unresolved issues contributed significantly to rising sectionalism and conflict that culminated in the Civil War.
• Critically analyze how subsequent events like the Kansas-Nebraska Act and Dred Scott Decision were influenced by or directly opposed to the principles established by the Missouri Compromise.
  • Subsequent events such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act and Dred Scott Decision directly challenged and contradicted the principles set forth by the Missouri Compromise. The Kansas-Nebraska Act, by allowing popular sovereignty in determining slavery's legality in new territories, undermined the compromise's established boundary line at 36°30′. Meanwhile, the Dred Scott Decision declared that Congress had no authority to regulate slavery in the territories, effectively deeming the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. These events exemplified how attempts at compromise were increasingly met with resistance and highlighted growing tensions that ultimately led to civil conflict.

Related terms

Compromise of 1850: A series of laws aimed at resolving territorial and slavery issues following the Mexican-American War, which sought to balance the interests of free and slave states.

Kansas-Nebraska Act:

An 1854 law that allowed residents of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise.

Dred Scott Decision:

An 1857 Supreme Court ruling that stated African Americans could not be American citizens and declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.