Description
It settled the conflict that had arisen from Missouri’s application for statehood. It would have three main conditions-
First, Missouri would enter the Union as a slave state. Second, Maine would join the Union as a free state, keeping the number of slave and free states equal. Third, Slavery would be prohibited in any new territories or states formed north of 36°30’ latitude - Missouri’s southern border. |
Causes |
When Missouri was becoming a state, there was a disagreement between the free and slave states. They could not decide whether or not to make Missouri a free or slave state. They had eleven slave states and eleven free states, so adding Missouri would tip the balance for either one, and the one who gained Missouri would have a stronger Senate for their side. In order to protect the power of the free states, the House passed a special amendment. It said that Missouri would be declared a slave state, but importing enslaved Africans into Missouri would be illegal. The Southern politicians angrily refused this plan. North Carolina senator Nathaniel Macon wanted to continue adding slave and also opposed this plan. Eventually, the Senate rejected the amendment, but something still had to be done.
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Effects |
Though successful, the Missouri Compromise failed to address the South and North’s disagreements over slavery.
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