Missouri Compromise

An agreement between the slavery and anti-slavery parties of the United States in 1821, arising out of the admi ion of Mi ouri to the Union as a free-labour State. It was determined that slavery should only be lawful south of 36° 30´ north latitude. This arrangement was maintained until 1854, when it was violated by the admi ion of Kansas and Nebraska as territories, with the right to decide the slavery question for themselves.