may 9, 1820 - Missouri Compromise

Description:

The issue of slavery in western Territories came to a head in the seat of government in 1819 when Missouri wanted to enter the Union as a slave state. The issue is sectional balance, which as a result of the compromise is maintained in the Senate at 12 slave states and 12 free states. The compromise allows Missouri in as a slave state, balances Missouri by allowing Maine to enter as a free state (Maine was sliced off of northern Massachusetts). And to the pleasure of New Englanders, slavery is in the future prohibited north of the line of 36 30 (southern border of Missouri). This compromise only ducks the point of conflict and does not resolve it.