8th Grade U.S. History - Missouri Compromise (1820)

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Civil War

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The Missouri Compromise (1820)

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was a pivotal moment in American history that dealt with the controversial issue of slavery and its impact on the balance of power between slave and free states. This compromise was a result of Missouri's desire to join the Union as a slave state, which raised concerns among northerners about the disruption of the Senate's balance.

The Great Compromiser

At the forefront of this historic event was Henry Clay, a senator from Kentucky who became known as "The Great Compromiser." Clay played a significant role in mediating political disputes and finding middle ground between opposing sides. He proposed the Missouri Compromise as a means to address the growing tensions caused by Missouri's application for statehood.

Maintaining the Balance of Power

The central goal of the Missouri Compromise was to maintain the delicate balance of power between slave and free states in the Senate. To achieve this, Clay suggested a two-fold solution. First, Missouri would be admitted to the Union as a slave state. Second, to preserve the balance, Maine would be admitted as a free state. This ensured that the number of slave states and free states remained equal.

The Resolution of Slavery

Additionally, the Missouri Compromise addressed the issue of slavery in the vast territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase. The compromise stated that slavery would be allowed in territories situated south of the southern border of Missouri. This resolution provided a definitive stance on the expansion of slavery in newly acquired lands, thus temporarily alleviating tensions between the North and the South.

The Legacy of the Missouri Compromise

While the Missouri Compromise temporarily eased tensions between the North and the South, its long-term effects were less positive. The compromise merely postponed the inevitable conflict over slavery in the country. It briefly preserved the delicate balance of power, but it failed to address the deep-rooted issues and growing divisions that eventually led to the American Civil War.

Nevertheless, the Missouri Compromise remains a significant milestone in American history. It exemplifies the complex and challenging attempts to reconcile opposing viewpoints and maintain political stability in the face of highly contentious issues.