How do you think America might be different if Missouri had not become a state?
The balance of power in the Senate would be taken over by the slave states allowing slavery to be accepted in more states than not.
To assess how America might be different if Missouri had not become a state, we can consider its effects on the balance of power in the Senate and the expansion of slavery. Here's how you can analyze this hypothetical scenario:
1. Research historical events: Investigate the Compromise of 1820, also known as the Missouri Compromise, which admitted Missouri as a slave state alongside Maine as a free state, maintaining a balance between the two in Congress. Understand the reasons behind this compromise and its role in shaping the politics of that era.
2. Examine the role of the Senate: Recognize that the Senate plays a critical role in American governance by ensuring equal representation for all states, regardless of population size. This makes every state's vote influential in shaping laws and policies.
3. Consider the impact on slavery and its expansion: Without Missouri becoming a state, the balance of power in the Senate could have shifted in favor of slave states. This could have allowed the acceptance of slavery in more states than non-slave states, potentially impacting the trajectory of American history.
4. Analyze the potential consequences: If the balance of power tipped in favor of slave states, it could have prolonged or expanded the institution of slavery. The delicate compromise and subsequent debates on slavery in the United States might have played out differently, potentially impacting the course of events leading up to the Civil War and subsequent Reconstruction era.
Remember, this analysis involves offering a speculative perspective based on historical context. By examining the historical circumstances and understanding the significance of Missouri's statehood, you can form an informed argument about how America might have been different if Missouri had not become a state.