As with any new piece of legislation, there were people who supported and people who opposed the Missouri Compromise. Have students research those who supported the compromise, as well as what it called for, and those who opposed it and why. Students will use a T-Chart to compare and contrast the viewpoints from both the proponents of the compromise as well as the opponents.
After completing this activity, students will be able to analyze and synthesize what points in the compromise were debated on, agreed on, and also what points were heavily debated. This will give them further insight as to why the compromise was so highly debated and why it was eventually agreed upon.
Extended Activity
Have students create a grid storyboard on proponents and opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. This will allow students to compare and contrast the arguments made both for and against the Missouri Compromise, as well as the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In addition, students will also gain a better understanding of the evolution of arguments made for and against slavery, as well as how/why it should or should not be expanded into new territory.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting the views regarding the Missouri Compromise of 1820.