The Missouri Compromise

Northwest Ordinance

(1787) Banned slavery in the Northwest territories

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Louisiana Purchase (1803)2

Doubled the size of the U.S.

Lead to the debate on expansion of

slavery

Missouri Compromise (1820)3

Set precedent that for every slave state, a free

state must enter

Kept the balance of free & slave states

36’30 Line

Banned slavery north of the 36°

parallel

Slavery in AmericaThe issue stayed in the background after the Missouri Compromise

On numerous occasions, Congress made motions to not discuss the topic in session

The proposal to add new states and territories (Texas, New Mexico, and California) brought the issue back up

• Some say Missouri Compromise line should extend west

• Others called for popular sovereignty– People in the territories will vote on whether to

allow or deny slavery

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• Some say Missouri Compromise line should extend west

• Others called for popular sovereignty– People in the territories will vote on whether to

allow or deny slavery.