In 1818, Missouri requested to join the Union as a slave state. Louisiana had already been admitted as a slave state. Congress was concerned that adding another slave state would upset the balance between the number of free and slave states. James Tallmadge of New York proposed an amendment that would require Missouri to abolish slavery as a requirement for admission as a state. A significant debate resulted. The South felt that the government had no right to limit slavery which was protected under the Constitution. The North felt that slavery
In 1818, Missouri requested to join the Union as a slave state. Louisiana had already been admitted as a slave state. Congress was concerned that adding another slave state would upset the balance between the number of free and slave states. James Tallmadge of New York proposed an amendment that would require Missouri to abolish slavery as a requirement for admission as a state. A significant debate resulted. The South felt that the government had no right to limit slavery which was protected under the Constitution. The North felt that slavery