The Issue of Slavery (continued)
Southern congressmen felt the government had no right to intervene in such a matter. Then in 1820, after several months of deliberating, Congress reached a decision with what is now called the Missouri Compromise. This piece of legislation sought to resolve the conflict as follows:
- Missouri would be admitted as a slave state, while the newly created state of Maine would be admitted to the Union as a free state. This would help keep a balance of power within the Senate.
- Congress agreed that as the nation expanded westward, states that were admitted to the Union that were situated north of 36°30’ N latitude would be considered free states.
It was very obvious that a great deal had happened in the few years since the war had ended. The nation had dealt with an economic crisis and survived; however, the issues surrounding slavery would be far more complex, and many would give their lives trying to end it.