Which statement best describes the provisions of the Missouri Compromise?
a) It maintained the balance of free and slave states.
b) It enacted a stricter fugitive law.
c) It outlawed slavery in the District of Columbia.
d) It prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.
a=it maintained the balance of free and slave states
A) It maintained the balance of free and slave states
it maintained the balance of free and slave states
The provisions of the Missouri Compromise can be best described as (a) maintaining the balance of free and slave states. To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the key aspects of the Missouri Compromise and then analyze each option.
The Missouri Compromise was a legislative measure enacted in 1820 to address the issue of slavery and maintain the delicate balance between free and slave states in the United States. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, thus maintaining equal representation for both sides in the Senate. Additionally, the compromise established a line, known as the 36°30' parallel, which marked the southern boundary of Missouri where slavery would be permitted, while prohibiting slavery north of this line in the rest of the Louisiana Purchase territory.
Now, let's analyze each option:
a) It maintained the balance of free and slave states. This option aligns with the key purpose and provisions of the Missouri Compromise, as noted above. It correctly describes the outcome of the compromise.
b) It enacted a stricter fugitive law. This statement is incorrect and does not reflect any provisions of the Missouri Compromise. The Compromise primarily focused on the issue of the expansion of slavery.
c) It outlawed slavery in the District of Columbia. This statement is incorrect. The Missouri Compromise did not directly address the issue of slavery in the District of Columbia.
d) It prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory. This statement is incorrect. The Missouri Compromise only prohibited slavery in the territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase, not the Northwest Territory.
Thus, based on analyzing each option, (a) It maintained the balance of free and slave states is the statement that best describes the provisions of the Missouri Compromise.