In 1820 there were 11 Free states and 11 slavery states, admitting Missouri as a slave state would upset the balance; however, a solution would arise when Maine applied to be admitted to the union as a free state—balancing free vs. slave states at twelve each. The compromise was to prohibit slavery in territory above the 36⁰30’ latitude line. When the United State Supreme Court Ruled in Dred Scott v. Sanford, that they had no right to regulate slavery in territories they in essence nullified the Missouri compromise. This would upset many northerners who believed the federal government was becoming a “slave power conspiracy” (Ciment
In 1820 there were 11 Free states and 11 slavery states, admitting Missouri as a slave state would upset the balance; however, a solution would arise when Maine applied to be admitted to the union as a free state—balancing free vs. slave states at twelve each. The compromise was to prohibit slavery in territory above the 36⁰30’ latitude line. When the United State Supreme Court Ruled in Dred Scott v. Sanford, that they had no right to regulate slavery in territories they in essence nullified the Missouri compromise. This would upset many northerners who believed the federal government was becoming a “slave power conspiracy” (Ciment