Missouri Compromise Review Quiz

The Missouri Compromise was enacted in the year _____.

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise was enacted in 1820 to address the balance of slave and free states. It allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining the balance in Congress.

Who was the primary architect of the Missouri Compromise?

• Thomas Jefferson

• Henry Clay

• James Monroe

• John Quincy Adams

Answer explanation

Henry Clay was the primary architect of the Missouri Compromise, which aimed to balance the interests of slave and free states in the early 19th century, making him a key figure in American legislative history.

Which two states were directly affected by the Missouri Compromise?

• Missouri and Maine

• Missouri and Kansas

• Missouri and Arkansas

• Missouri and Illinois

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, directly affecting these two states. Thus, the correct answer is Missouri and Maine.

Explain the main provision of the Missouri Compromise regarding the balance of power in the Senate.

• It allowed Missouri to enter as a free state.

• It allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining the balance.

• It banned slavery in all new states.

• It allowed Maine to enter as a slave state.

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, which maintained the balance of power in the Senate between free and slave states.

What was the latitude line established by the Missouri Compromise to limit the spread of slavery?

• 36°30' north

• 35°00' north

• 37°00' north

• 38°30' north

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise established the latitude line of 36°30' north as the boundary to limit the spread of slavery in the western territories, allowing slavery only south of this line.

Discuss how the Missouri Compromise impacted the debate over slavery in the United States.

• It resolved the debate permanently.

• It temporarily eased tensions but highlighted sectional divisions.

• It led to the immediate abolition of slavery.

• It had no impact on the slavery debate.

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise temporarily eased tensions by maintaining a balance between free and slave states, but it also highlighted the growing sectional divisions over slavery, setting the stage for future conflicts.

What was the long-term consequence of the Missouri Compromise on future legislation?

• It permanently resolved the issue of slavery.

• It set a precedent for future compromises on slavery.

• It led to the immediate secession of Southern states.

• It had no influence on future legislation.

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise set a precedent for future compromises on slavery, demonstrating that lawmakers would seek to find middle ground on this contentious issue, which influenced later legislation like the Compromise of 1850.

What was the primary goal of the Missouri Compromise?

• To abolish slavery in the United States.

• To maintain the balance of power between free and slave states.

• To expand slavery into new territories.

• To create new states in the western territories.

Answer explanation

The primary goal of the Missouri Compromise was to maintain the balance of power between free and slave states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, thus preventing conflict over slavery in new territories.

How did the Missouri Compromise influence the political landscape of the United States?

• It unified the political parties.

• It deepened the divide between the North and South.

• It led to the creation of new political parties.

• It had no influence on politics.

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise deepened the divide between the North and South by establishing a line that determined free and slave states, intensifying sectional tensions over slavery and contributing to future conflicts.

What was the impact of the Missouri Compromise on the future of slavery in the United States?

• It ended slavery in all states.

• It allowed slavery to expand into all new territories.

• It limited the expansion of slavery to the south of the 36°30' line.

• It had no impact on the future of slavery.

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise established a boundary at the 36°30' line, allowing slavery only in the southern territories. This limited the expansion of slavery and set a precedent for future territorial disputes.