1. Missouri Compromise of 1820:
- Key details: The Missouri Compromise was a legislative decision that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while also establishing a boundary at the 36°30' parallel for future slave and free states.
- How it pulled the nation apart: The Missouri Compromise created tensions between North and South, as it highlighted the growing divide over the issue of slavery. The compromise set a precedent for the territorial expansion of slavery, further fueling the debate between abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates.
2. Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857):
- Key details: The Supreme Court ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford declared that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not considered citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. Additionally, the decision invalidated the Missouri Compromise.
- How it pulled the nation apart: The Dred Scott decision deepened existing tensions between the North and South, as it reinforced the institution of slavery and denied the rights of African Americans. The ruling increased debates over the legality and morality of slavery, ultimately pushing the nation closer to the brink of civil war.
List two key details to describe each event in the chart. Also explain how each event pulled the nation apart.
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