Missouri Compromise
PBS: Africans in America
Description: This PBS site describes the conflicting opinions which led to the Missouri Compromise, as well as the historical implications
the Compromise itself.
Teaching Tips:"Do Now" Suggestions
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Why was Congressman James Tallmadge's bill accepted in the House of Representatives and not in the Senate? Review how the
number of representatives in congress is determined based on the constitution through a visual map of all the states in 1920
and their number of representatives based on population.
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Show on a map the 36' 30' north latitude. What is the significance of the line's location in regards to agriculture?
Suggestions for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson
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Discuss the balance in congress between Free states and slave states asking students why the government decided to continue
the balance by brining Maine in as a free state. Have students write reaction paragraphs on what might happen if one side
would take majority control of the legislature? How might this affect slavery as a whole?
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As the class continues with westward expansion and the incorporation of new states into the union reference the 36' 30' north
latitude line on a map and discuss the implications of the territories and their use of slavery.