Missouri Compromise Quizzes
Think you’ve got your head wrapped around Missouri Compromise? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. Why is the Missouri Compromise seen as the first step towards the Civil War?
It literally divided the nation in half along slave and free state lines.
It was seen as a demonstration that slave states could always get their way.
it caused a series of small skirmishes between slave and free supporters.
The underlying unrest over the decision made by Congress would soon boil over into open conflict.
Q. Could the slavery issue have been properly avoided in 1820?
No, the Civil War was inevitable and the only possible solution to the issue of slavery.
Yes, Congress missed their chance to end the slavery debate in one fell swoop.
No, but a more significant step towards that solution could have been made.
Slavery was not an issue.
Q. Why was support for slavery so intense?
A combination of economic necessity and systemic racism.
People were ignorant and didn't understand the reality of life as a slave.
Most people didn't actually care much one way or the other.
It was seen as a time honored tradition.
Q. How would the Missouri Compromise later come to haunt the U.S.?
The precedent for territories to bargain their way into statehood caused every new state to make increasingly outlandish demands.
The precedent set by the Missouri Compromise would directly result in Bleeding Kansas thirty four years later.
The ability of slave states to always have their way would breed dissatisfaction among northern states.
The precedent of a political solution would lead to a reduced emphasis on military spending.
Q. Why was Missouri a turning point in U.S. history?
It was the first federal discussion of the slavery issue at any length.
It set up a system in which slave states would be favored over free states.
It raised the question of what constituted a state in the U.S.
It forced America to address the state vs federal right issue.