The Missouri Compromise

In 1820, there was an equal number of slave and free states: but, there was a problem. Missouri wanted to be admitted to the Union as a slave state. This upset the balance. As a solution, the Missouri Compromise was created. It split Massachusetts in half, creating Maine, a free state. Missouri was also admitted as a slave state. The most dramatic creation in the Compromise, was the 36 30 parallel line. Anything below it, was to be a slave state. Anything above, was to be a free state. This line, though invisible, would cause controversy in the future.

36 30 Line