The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was an important piece of legislation that affected settlement and views on state and federal rights. Beyond the immediate problems solved or postponed, the Missouri Compromise influenced future legislation and debate over slavery.
In this activity, students will use a spider map to branch out other acts, compromises, and court cases that ultimately were a result of or directly influenced by the Missouri Compromise of 1820. This will allow students to centralize the compromise, and see what long and short-term effects it had on the nation and question of slavery.
Extended Activity
Have students create a spider map on one topic included in their spider map of the Missouri Compromise. Students should utilize the same idea (what events, legislation, etc.) that stemmed from their centralized idea. This will give deeper understanding to just how instrumental the Missouri Compromise, as well as their selected topic, had on big ideas like the extension of slavery, and slavery as an institution itself.
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Student Instructions
Create a spider chart detailing the major effects of the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
Engage students by organizing a structured debate about the Missouri Compromise's effects on national unity and the slavery question. Debates help students develop critical thinking and empathy by considering multiple perspectives.
Present a central question such as, "Did the Missouri Compromise ultimately help or harm the United States?" This gives students a clear focus and encourages thoughtful discussion.
Divide students into two groups—one supporting and one opposing the compromise’s impact. Group roles help all students participate and view history from different angles.
Encourage each group to use class materials and outside sources to find facts, quotes, and examples supporting their side. Research builds confidence and deepens historical understanding.
Set clear rules for speaking and listening. Monitor the debate to keep it on track and ensure all voices are heard respectfully.
Lead a class discussion about what students learned and how their views may have changed. Reflection cements learning and helps students process complex historical issues.
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 had major effects such as temporarily easing tensions between free and slave states, setting a precedent for future legislation, and influencing key events like the Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott Case. It also delayed but did not resolve the issue of slavery, which contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.
The Missouri Compromise drew a geographic line dividing future free and slave territories, intensifying the national debate over slavery's expansion. While it postponed conflict, it also highlighted deep divisions and set the stage for more heated disputes, ultimately leading to the Civil War.
Key events and laws influenced by the Missouri Compromise include the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, the Compromise of 1850, the Dred Scott Case, the Wilmot Proviso, and the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. These shaped policies and debates about slavery and state rights.
Students can create a spider map by placing the Missouri Compromise at the center and branching out to related acts, events, and court cases. This visual tool helps connect the compromise to its short and long-term effects on American history and the slavery debate.
A simple way is to have students build a spider chart highlighting key effects, related laws, and events. This encourages critical thinking and helps students see how the Missouri Compromise fits into the larger context of U.S. history.