Question

“[The Missouri Compromise] like a fire bell in the night, awakened and filled me with terror. I considered it at once as the [death] knell of the Union.” —Thomas Jefferson, 1820 Which of the following best analyzes Jefferson’s perspective on the Missouri Compromise’s impact on sectionalism? (1 point) Responses According to Jefferson, the Missouri Compromise was good for Missouri, but bad for the United States. According to Jefferson, the Missouri Compromise was good for Missouri, but bad for the United States. Jefferson thought that the decision to allow slavery in some places but not in others would only continue to cause division. Jefferson thought that the decision to allow slavery in some places but not in others would only continue to cause division. Jefferson believed that the Missouri Compromise would ultimately end the institution of slavery and end sectionalism. Jefferson believed that the Missouri Compromise would ultimately end the institution of slavery and end sectionalism. Because Jefferson had not been involved in the Missouri Compromise, he did not think it was a good thing. Because Jefferson had not been involved in the Missouri Compromise, he did not think it was a good thing.

Answer 1

The best analysis of Jefferson's perspective on the Missouri Compromise’s impact on sectionalism is:

Jefferson thought that the decision to allow slavery in some places but not in others would only continue to cause division.

This response aligns with Jefferson's expression of terror and concern about the future of the Union, indicating that he believed the compromise would exacerbate existing tensions between free and slave states, leading to further sectionalism.