The Missouri Compromise

Emma Toomey
AP US History
Mr. Eschle- Period 7
10.16.12
Written Analysis #4 The Missouri Compromise had many effects on American culture, including an economic effect by prohibiting slavery in the unorganized territory north of Missouri’s southern border, a political suspicion between those representing the south and those representing the north as well as a balance of slave and free states, and had a social impact by creating a definite separation between “the North” and “the South” and also allowing free blacks to remain in Missouri resulting from a dispute between the Missouri constitutional convention and the House of Representatives. The prohibition of slavery in certain territories would affect the staple crops as well as their production by limiting the size, and, in consequence, the production rate on plantations. The wariness between politicians of the north and those of the south increased, as opinions on abolition were a subject of great tension even though there was even representation with both free and slave states numbering at eleven. The definite separation between the north and the south created social tension and clearly defined the political ideas based on geographical location. It also created the opportunity for free blacks to create a livelihood for themselves in Missouri. The economic effects of the Missouri Compromise started with the declaration that slavery would be prohibited in the unorganized territory obtained in the Louisiana Purchase north of Missouri’s southern border. This did not include land and states in which slavery was already established, such as Arkansas territory. This affected the economic structure of the United States because it ensured that large plantations that were yet to be established within the territory that prohibited slavery would have to function without the use of slaves. This would pose a great chance of difficulty producing large amounts of crops and product, which would affect the overall economy of America. Similar to how Britain turned to alternate sources of cotton when the American prices rose as supply increased to meet demand, countries would turn to alternate sources for many other products as well if the United States failed to produce an adequate supply to meet the demand.
The Missouri Compromise affected the politics of America by continuing a balance of the influence of free states versus slave states, as well as creating tension between the northern and southern representatives. The balance of slave states and free states is important in politics as an imbalance of representatives in Congress leads to turmoil and eventual rebellions as the minority consider their inferior representation unfair. It would also contribute to a greater chance of presidents who favor the ideas and desires of the majority. The idea of representation of only the majority connects to the colonial period when the colonies demanded, “No taxation without representation,” from Parliament. Therefore, the cause that the American Revolution was based on would be violated. Also, as the heatedness of debates between abolitionists and proslavery citizens increased, so did their passion for whichever cause they fought for. This contributed to the increased sense of unity between those who fought for similar ideas and laws.
A sense of unity in the states of the north and the states of the south was a consequence of the Missouri Compromise. Many felt that the North was united in their idea that slavery was unconstitutional and a violation of natural rights, while the South felt unified in the idea that they had inherited slavery as a major component in their way of life. Another social effect of this compromise is when the National House of Representatives refused to admit Missouri when the Missouri constitutional convention decided to authorize slavery and decree that state legislature could never free slaves without the permission of their masters and declared that even free blacks could not leave the state. In response to this, Henry Clay was finally able to write a bill that both sides accepted in late 1821. The bill included the idea that Missouri would be admitted as long as they did not pass a law barring the entry of a citizen from any other state. This would affect society because the allowance of free blacks into Missouri would make it possible for them to create a home for themselves without getting uprooted and having to move to another state once they had been freed.
The political, social, and economic effects of the Missouri Compromise heavily impacted American culture. The ideas and laws passed by the government at this time would create a definite separation between the north and south, which would result in political tension, as well as social because of the differing views between abolitionists and those who advocated slavery. The economic consequences would affect the large plantation owners of the south, as their work force would be taken away. The profit would decline, as workers would need a salary, which was undesirable. The Missouri Compromise altered the society of the United States significantly by foreshadowing the civil war as differences between the north and south became solidified.