USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Enacted in 1820 to maintain the balance of power in Congress, the Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

Detailed explanation-2: -The “Missouri Compromise” allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, thus keeping the balance of slave and free states equal in Congress.

Detailed explanation-3: -This legislation admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a non-slave state at the same time, so as not to upset the balance between slave and free states in the nation. It also outlawed slavery above the 36º 30’ latitude line in the remainder of the Louisiana Territory.

Detailed explanation-4: -This border represents what came to be known as the 36°30’ Missouri Compromise line. The Missouri Compromise established that any state formed below this line would be considered a slave state and any state formed above it would be a free state.

Detailed explanation-5: -Finally, Congress passed an Act that allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state, and Maine as a free state, therefore keeping the balance of free and slave states equal in Congress.