Free States: Free states were those in which slavery was not allowed or practiced. These states did not rely on enslavement for their economy.
Missouri Compromise: The Missouri Compromise was an agreement that aimed to maintain a balance between free and slave states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also drew a line (36°30') across the Louisiana Territory, stating that any new state formed above that line would be free.
Compromise of 1850: The Compromise of 1850 attempted to resolve issues surrounding slavery's expansion by admitting California as a free state, implementing stricter fugitive slave laws, and allowing popular sovereignty in certain territories.