Missouri Compromise Origins of the American Civil War

in 1819 congressman james tallmadge, jr. of new york initiated uproar in south when proposed 2 amendments bill admitting missouri union free state. first barred slaves being moved missouri, , second free missouri slaves born after admission union @ age 25. admission of alabama slave state in 1819, u.s. equally divided 11 slave states , 11 free states. admission of new state of missouri slave state give slave states majority in senate; tallmadge amendment give free states majority.

the tallmadge amendments passed house of representatives failed in senate when 5 northern senators voted southern senators. question admission of missouri slave state, , many leaders shared thomas jefferson s fear of crisis on slavery—a fear jefferson described fire bell in night . crisis solved compromise of 1820, admitted maine union free state @ same time missouri admitted slave state. compromise banned slavery in louisiana purchase territory north , west of state of missouri along line of 36–30. missouri compromise quieted issue until limitations on slavery repealed kansas–nebraska act of 1854.

in south, missouri crisis reawakened old fears strong federal government fatal threat slavery. jeffersonian coalition united southern planters , northern farmers, mechanics , artisans in opposition threat presented federalist party had started dissolve after war of 1812. not until missouri crisis americans became aware of political possibilities of sectional attack on slavery, , not until mass politics of andrew jackson s administration type of organization around issue became practical.