What was the main goal of the Missouri Compromise?

The main goal of the Missouri Compromise was to maintain the balance between free and slave states in the Senate. In the early 19th century, as new states were being admitted to the Union, there was a growing concern about the balance of power between the North and the South, particularly in relation to the contentious issue of slavery. The admission of Missouri as a slave state threatened to upset this delicate balance because it would bring the number of slave and free states to an equal number, which could shift political power towards pro-slavery interests.

To resolve this issue, the Missouri Compromise was enacted in 1820. It allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state while simultaneously admitting Maine as a free state. This ensured that the number of slave states and free states remained equal in the Senate, which was critical for maintaining political stability and reducing sectional tensions at that time. Additionally, the Compromise established a geographical boundary (the 36°30′ latitude line) beyond which slavery would be prohibited in the territories acquired in the Louisiana Purchase, further attempting to manage the expansion of slavery.

The other options represent important topics related to the era but do not specifically address the primary aim of the Missouri Compromise. Allowing slavery in new territories or establishing a