By: Braylee Gaertner
In 1819, Missouri applied for admission to the union, where there were 11 free states and 11 slave states.
James Tallmadge of New York wanted Missouri to be a free state while William Pinkney of Maryland wanted it to be a slave state.
Northern states opposed the admission because they felt the south had too much power as it was. With more slaves, they had more representation in congress.
Missouri was admissioned as a slave state because Maine was admissioned as a free state. In turn, the states were balanced once again.
Slavery was prohibited North of the 36 ° 30’ line because it was Missouri’s southern border.