Missouri Compromise Day

Missouri Compromise Day is celebrated each year on March 3, marking the anniversary of the Missouri Compromise’s approval by Congress in 1820. This legislation maintained a balance in the Senate between states where slavery was abolished and those where it was still practiced. Passed by the 16th United States Congress on March 3, 1820, and signed by President James Monroe on March 6, the Missouri Compromise only remained effective for 34 years before the Civil War led to its demise.

History of Missouri Compromise Day

The issue of Missouri was discussed during the 15th Congress in 1819, leading to a deadlock between the anti-slavery House and the pro-slavery Senate. In 1820, amidst rising tensions over slavery, Congress passed a law admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also banned slavery in other parts of the Louisiana Purchase north of the 36º 30’ parallel line. Known as the Missouri Compromise, this law was in place until the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed it.

In 1854, Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois introduced the Kansas-Nebraska Act, allowing settlers of each territory to decide on slavery themselves, a principle known as popular sovereignty. This law effectively nullified the Missouri Compromise by permitting slavery north of the 36º 30’ parallel, resulting in violent conflicts between pro and anti-slavery settlers. The Act’s opposition led to the formation of the Republican Party and the rise of Abraham Lincoln as a political figure. In 1857, the Supreme Court deemed the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional in the Dred Scott case, which contributed to the onset of the Civil War.

Missouri Compromise Day timeline

• 1819: The Missouri issue first arises in Congress, ending in a stalemate.
• 1820: Congress passes the Missouri Compromise, designating Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.
• 1854: The Kansas-Nebraska Act repeals the Missouri Compromise, allowing territories to decide on slavery themselves.
• 1857: The Supreme Court rules the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional in the Dred Scott case, paving the way for the Civil War.

Why was the Missouri Compromise significant?

It was crucial in maintaining the Senate’s balance between free and slave states.

How did the Missouri Compromise heighten tensions?

Missouri’s request to join the Union as a slave state threatened the balance between free and slave states, leading to heightened tensions.

Why did the Missouri Compromise collapse?

It led to increased sectionalism between the North and the South.

Ways to Observe Missouri Compromise Day

• Read: Enhance your understanding of this day and the history of slavery in America by reading.
• Visit a Museum: Discover your state’s historical position on slavery at a museum.
• Take a Quiz: Test your knowledge of U.S. history by taking a quiz with a friend.

5 Facts About The Missouri Compromise

• Henry Clay’s Plan: Henry Clay, a senator from Kentucky, devised the Missouri Compromise.
• Tensions Existed: Before its enactment, tensions ran high between slave and free states.
• Missouri Compromise Line: This imaginary line divided the country into northern free states and southern slave states.
• Statehood for Missouri and Maine: In 1821, Missouri and Maine became the 23rd and 24th states.
• 14th Amendment Abolishes Slavery: In 1865, this amendment abolished slavery post-Civil War.

Why is Missouri Compromise Day Important?

• Historical Insight: It reminds us of our journey toward universal freedom.
• Honoring Contributions: Commemorating these events is crucial in acknowledging past efforts to abolish slavery.
• Political Awareness: Understanding historical events helps citizens grasp political dynamics.

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