The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was an effort to keep the amount of slave states and free states in balance. Slavery was prohibited above the 36 30 line, for all new Louisiana Purchase states; except Missouri. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, keeping the ratio of slave states to free states in balance.
And so in March, 1820, both Missouri and Maine were admitted into the United States. Missouri was authorized to allow slavery, the only state above that line, until 1854, when the Kansas-Nebraska act repealed and replaced this.
And so in March, 1820, both Missouri and Maine were admitted into the United States. Missouri was authorized to allow slavery, the only state above that line, until 1854, when the Kansas-Nebraska act repealed and replaced this.
For more information, go to: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Missouri.html