Based on the information given in this map. Why might some southerners feel that the missouri compromised favored the north
Without a specific map or information provided, it is difficult to analyze the reasons some Southerners might feel that the Missouri Compromise favored the North. However, here are some common arguments historically associated with this viewpoint:
1. Balance of power: The Missouri Compromise, enacted in 1820, admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain a balance between slave and free states in the Senate. Southerners, who relied heavily on slavery for their economy, may have felt that this compromise tilted the balance in favor of the North, as it added a free state while Missouri was allowed to keep slavery.
2. Expansion of free states: Under the Missouri Compromise, Congress prohibited slavery in any new states or territories formed north of the 36°30′ parallel (except for Missouri). This restriction on slavery's expansion might have been seen as restricting the potential growth of slave states in the future, thereby favoring the North's population and political power.
3. Economic interests: The South was primarily an agrarian region heavily dependent on plantation-based agriculture, prominently relying on slave labor. Since the Missouri Compromise limited the spread of slavery, it potentially limited the availability of cheap labor for Southern plantation owners. Southerners may have perceived this as an economic disadvantage compared to the North, which was becoming more industrialized and had less reliance on labor-intensive agriculture.
4. Perception of Northern influence: Some Southerners may have seen the Missouri Compromise as a product of Northern influence and political maneuvering. The compromise was primarily driven by Northern politicians, such as Henry Clay, who sought to maintain a balance of power and avoid contentious debates over slavery. This perception might have fueled the sentiment that the North had a disproportionate influence on decisions that impacted Southern interests.
It is important to note that these views represent historical perspectives and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of all Southerners or the complete understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding the Missouri Compromise.