History of Missouri

Missouri Compromise

Missouri Compromise

1818

Missouri Territory has sufficient population to become a state

Missouri petitions Congress for admission to the Union as a state

Missouri Compromise

The U.S. in 1818 22 states in the U.S.

11 free states, 11 slave states

Balance of power between slave and free states Free states control House of Representatives

105 votes to 81 Equal representation in Senate

Each faction has power to prevent passage of legislation not to its liking

Missouri Compromise

Slavery in the South

Integral part of Southern life and culture for 200 years

Economy dependent upon slavery for agriculture

Missouri Compromise

1819

Majority of Missouri settlers are from the South

More than 2,000 slaves live in Missouri Territory

Missouri expected to become a slave state

Missouri Statehood Bill goes to House of Representatives

Missouri Compromise

NY Rep James Tallmadge proposes amendment to ban slavery in Missouri Forbid importation of slaves Emancipation of all slaves born in Missouri

February, 1819: Amendment passes in House, but not in Senate

U.S. again confronted with volatile issue of spread of slavery into new territories and states

Missouri Compromise

1820

Missouri statehood controversy becomes a national issue as slavery is debated

January: Maine petitions Congress for statehood

March 3: Compromise is reached

Missouri Compromise - Results

The compromise will allow Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, and Maine to enter as a free state

Balance of power will remain the same in Congress with an equal number of slave and free states

Missouri Compromise

Henry Clay, Speaker of the House, is regarded as the author of the compromise

Missouri Compromise - Results

Attempts to address issue of further spread of slavery

36° 30’ N. latitude line (southern boundary of Missouri)

Louisiana Purchase territory north of the line will be free (except Missouri)

Louisiana Purchase territory south of the line will be slave

Slavery confrontation is postponed

Missouri Compromise - Results 36° 30’ North Latitude Line

Missouri Compromise → Statehood

1820

June: Delegates meet in St. Louis to draw up a constitution

July: Missouri’s first Constitution is adopted

August: Missouri’s first state elections are held and the first governor is elected

Missouri Compromise → Statehood

Missouri Constitution is sent to Congress for approval

Missouri Constitution

Provision barring immigration of free blacks

Northern Congressman object

Missouri Compromise - Again

2nd Missouri Compromise is necessary

Missouri legislature makes solemn promise never to carry out the provision

Pledge nothing in the Missouri constitution will be interpreted to abridge the rights of citizens of the U.S.

Charter is approved and Missouri is admitted to the Union

Missouri Compromise → Statehood

In 1821

August 10: Missouri becomes the 24th state of the Union

St. Charles is the state capitol until a permanent location is later designated

(A bill to create the State Seal was not adopted until January 11, 1822)

Official Song of the State of Missouri:Missouri Waltz

Hush-a-bye, ma baby, slumber time is comin' soon;Rest yo' head upon my breast, while mommy hums a

tune;The sandman is callin', where shadows are fallin',While the soft breezes sigh as in days long gone by.

Way down in Missouri where I heard this melody,When I was a little child on my mommy's knee;The old folks were hummin', their banjos were strummin‘So sweet and low.

Strum, strum, strum, strum, strum,Seems I hear those banjos playin' once again,Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum,That same old plaintive strain.Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum,That same old plaintive strain.

Hear that mournful melody,It just haunts you the whole day long,And you wander in dreams, back to Dixie, it seems,When you hear that old song.

Hush a-bye, my baby, go to sleep on Mommy's knee,Journey back to Dixieland in dreams again with me;It seems like your Mommy is there again,And the old folks were strummin' that old refrain.

Way down in Missouri where I learned this lullaby,When the stars were blinkin' and the moon was climbin'

high,Seems I hear voices low, as in days long agoSingin' hush a-bye.

Missouri Compromise → Statehood

James Monroe is President of the United States when Missouri becomes a state

Alexander McNair is Missouri’s first Governor