america debates slavery : the missouri compromise (1820)

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America Debates Slavery: The Missouri Compromise (1820) A James Monroe Museum Virtual Exhibit Image Credit: Robert K. Griffin “The Liberian Senate,” Library of Congress

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America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820). A James Monroe Museum Virtual Exhibit. Image Credit: Robert K. Griffin “The Liberian Senate,” Library of Congress. Introduction. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

America Debates Slavery: The Missouri Compromise (1820)

A James Monroe MuseumVirtual Exhibit

Image Credit: Robert K. Griffin “The Liberian Senate,” Library of Congress

Page 2: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

IntroductionThe United States had debated slavery since its founding. However, tensions over the issue were

growing by the time of Monroe’s presidency. As the U.S. expanded, the question of new

statehood brought slavery to the forefront once again. Would new states allow slavery or not?

This exhibit will explore two ways Americans addressed slavery and its effects during this

time: the American Colonization Society and the Missouri Compromise.

Page 3: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

BackgroundThe American Colonization Society was founded in 1816. They believed that free

blacks would never be able to integrate into American society. Instead, they proposed

sending free blacks to West Africa, in a new colony: Liberia.

Monroe, among fellow politicians, supported the American Colonization Society. The capital of Liberia was named Monrovia in his honor.

Page 4: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

|Exhibit|

Clink to Enter the Archive

Page 5: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

|Reading Primary Sources|

Page 6: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

• What were some of the goals of the early abolition movement, as seen in the ACS constitution?

• What aspect(s) of the effects of slavery did they address?

Page 7: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

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Page 8: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

• Why do you think the American Colonization Society chose to print this letter in its publication?

• What themes appeared to you in the letter as arguments for colonization?

• What can you deduce about the author? How would more information be helpful?

Page 9: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

|Reading the Document|The Author

John Kizell was a first-generation African American who was sold into slavery in

Charleston, South Carolina. He, along with 1,200 other African Americans, migrated to

Sierra Leone where he led the settlement of a colony. He was a Baptist preacher and an

agent for the American Colonization Society.

How does this information about the author of the document impact your interpretation of it?

Page 10: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

The American Colonization Society proposed repatriation as a solution to the problems

even free blacks faced in America.

James Monroe supported the Society,although their plans never saw full realization

inthe United States. The Missouri Compromise

became America’s attempt at addressing slavery during Monroe’s presidency.

Page 11: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

|The Missouri Compromise|• Missouri wanted to be admitted to the Union

as a slave state, which would upset the balance between slave and free states.

• The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

• It also drew a regional line at 36°30’, dividing the Louisiana Territory into free states in the North and slave states in the South.

Page 12: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

Reading a Primary Source

Mr. Smyth to the House of Representatives Jan. 28, 1820.

Page 13: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

Reading a Primary Source• What was Mr. Smyth’s opinion on

slavery in new territories? • On what basis does he make his

argument? What evidence does he give to support his opinion?

• The Missouri Compromise passed in March, about a month after Mr. Smyth’s speech. How do you think he would have reacted to it?

Page 14: America Debates Slavery : The Missouri Compromise (1820)

|Questions for Discussion|

• Do you agree or disagree with the American Colonization Society’s plan? Why?

• How effective was the Missouri Compromise?