As part of the Missouri Compromise, which pairing of states were admitted as slave and free respectively?

As part of the Missouri Compromise, which pairing of states were admitted as slave and free respectively?

• A. Missouri free, Maine slave
• B. Maine free, Missouri slave
• C. Missouri slave, Maine free
• D. Missouri slave, Maine slave

Answer: (C)

Balancing free and slave states in the Senate is what the Missouri Compromise was designed to do. By admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state at the same time, Congress kept the sectional balance even as the country expanded westward. This pairing ensured that neither side would gain an immediate numeric advantage in the Senate. It also established a geographic boundary for future slavery in new territories, setting the 36°30' parallel as the line north of which slavery would be prohibited (except in Missouri). Therefore, the pairing of Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state is the correct arrangement.

Balancing free and slave states in the Senate is what the Missouri Compromise was designed to do. By admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state at the same time, Congress kept the sectional balance even as the country expanded westward. This pairing ensured that neither side would gain an immediate numeric advantage in the Senate. It also established a geographic boundary for future slavery in new territories, setting the 36°30' parallel as the line north of which slavery would be prohibited (except in Missouri). Therefore, the pairing of Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state is the correct arrangement.