Missouri Compromise

mm Thursday, December 13, 2007

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In the early years of the 19th century (1800’s) the United States had acquired from France a large portion of the North American continent. This land purchase tripled the size of the United States and brought great opportunity and riches to the nation.

However it also brought an imbalance in the makeup of free and slave states. As thousands of new immigrants poured into these lands these territories became states and the size and influence of the US Senate began to grow. An important aspect of the senate was that as it grew the balance between slave and free states remained even.

In 1819 the territory of Missouri applied for membership in the union as a state. Slavery was legal in Missouri so if it became a state it would mean that there were now be 11 free states and 12 slave states. This would mean that the pro-slavery factions would have greater political power.

Not wanting top let this happen the free states would not ratify the entry of Missouri into the union.

After months of bitter debate the Congress finally reached a compromise. Called the Missouri Compromise this action admitted Missouri as a slave state while Maine came in as a free state. Once again keeping the balance between the two equal.

The compromise also stated that salvery would not be allowed in all territory to the north and west of Missouri. For the time being the hostility between the North and South was kept in check.