Missouri Compromise

Definition

The Missouri Compromise was an agreement made in 1820 to resolve the conflict between slave and free states as the United States expanded westward. It allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state while Maine was admitted as a free state, maintaining the balance of power in Congress. This compromise also established a line along the southern border of Missouri, prohibiting slavery in the territories north of that line, which was a significant step in the ongoing debate over slavery during territorial expansion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Missouri Compromise was introduced by Congressman Henry Clay, who played a crucial role in negotiating the terms.
2. This agreement was an early attempt to address the sectional tensions between the North and South over slavery.
3. The Missouri Compromise marked the first significant legislative attempt to manage the issue of slavery's expansion into new territories.
4. Although it temporarily eased tensions, the Missouri Compromise did not resolve the underlying conflict over slavery, leading to future crises.
5. The compromise was eventually rendered ineffective by the Dred Scott decision and the rise of sectional conflicts leading up to the Civil War.

Review Questions

• How did the Missouri Compromise attempt to balance the interests of slave and free states during westward expansion?
  • The Missouri Compromise sought to maintain a balance between slave and free states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. This arrangement kept the number of each type of state equal in the Senate, which was crucial for both sides to ensure their political power. Additionally, it established a boundary at the 36°30' parallel, allowing for some territories to be designated as free while others could be slave states, addressing immediate conflicts while masking deeper issues.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Missouri Compromise on American politics regarding slavery and territorial expansion.
  • While the Missouri Compromise temporarily settled disputes over slavery's expansion, it ultimately failed to provide a lasting solution. The established 36°30' parallel became increasingly contentious as new territories were acquired. As debates continued, this compromise set a precedent for future legislative efforts, such as the Compromise of 1850, but it also highlighted the inability to reconcile fundamental differences between Northern and Southern states, escalating tensions that would lead to civil war.
• Analyze how subsequent events, like the Dred Scott Decision and increased sectionalism, undermined the effectiveness of the Missouri Compromise.
  • The effectiveness of the Missouri Compromise was significantly undermined by events such as the Dred Scott Decision, which ruled that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in the territories, effectively nullifying the compromises made earlier. Additionally, increasing sectionalism led to more aggressive stances from both pro-slavery and abolitionist movements. The failure of this compromise to address deeply rooted societal divisions demonstrated that legislative agreements alone could not resolve moral and economic conflicts surrounding slavery, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of civil war.

Related terms

Compromise of 1850: A series of legislative measures aimed at resolving disputes between slave and free states, including admitting California as a free state and strengthening the Fugitive Slave Act.

Dred Scott Decision: An 1857 Supreme Court case ruling that stated African Americans were not citizens and that Congress could not regulate slavery in the territories, effectively nullifying the Missouri Compromise.

36°30' parallel: The latitude line established by the Missouri Compromise, north of which slavery was prohibited in the Louisiana Territory.