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Black History and Blacks in U.S. History
A Nation Divided
(1840-1861)

The Missouri Compromise

The Missouri Compromise
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   high interest, readability grades 4 to 5
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   4.83

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    slave, banned, slavery, immediately, battle, become, territory, impossible, free, during, pass, equal, also, state, southern, plan
     content words:    If Missouri, New York, Henry Clay, If Maine, Louisiana Purchase, Mexican War, Missouri Compromise, Pacific Ocean, Civil War

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The Missouri Compromise
By Cathy Pearl 		  
1     In 1819, there were eleven slave states. There were also eleven free states. That year, Missouri applied to become a state. They wanted to be a slave state. Immediately there was a problem. If Missouri became a state, there would be more slave states than free states. This meant the South would have control in the Senate. Northern states did not want Missouri to become a state.
 
2     A Congressman from New York wanted a new amendment. It would prevent slavery from growing anymore in Missouri. It would also free the children of slaves. The bill passed in the House. It did not pass in the Senate.
 
3     The argument went on for months. Henry Clay finally came up with a plan. The plan had two parts that would hopefully make everyone happy.

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