U.S.
map after the Missouri Compromise
In
1819, as Missouri began drafting a state constitution
in preparation for statehood, New York congressman
James Tallmadge introduced two antislavery amendments
to the bill which allowed for the creation of Missouri
as a state. Despite the fact that Tallmadge's bills
were not passed, the issue involving slavery threatened
to explode.
The
issue of slavery had remained controversial in America
since 1787. In 1819, half of America's twenty two
states were free states (northern), and half were
slave states (southern). Because the free states
had larger populations, they controlled the House
of Representatives. Free and slave states shared
equal representation in the Senate. The admission
of Missouri as a free state or slave state would
upset the balance. Antislavery members of Congress
argued that slavery should be prohibited in new
states, while Pro-slavery members of Congress argued
that the state should have the right to determine
if slavery was legal or illegal within its borders.
A
compromise was made when Maine applied for statehood
in 1820. According to the deal thought of by Henry
Clay, if the southern states agreed to the admission
of Maine as a free state, Missouri would be admitted
as a slave state. In addition, all lands acquired
in the Louisiana Purchase north of 36° 30' N
latitude would be free. Both the free and the slave
states agreed to Clay's compromise. Nevertheless,
the influence of the Missouri Compromise would last
nearly thirty years before it would be repealed.
