Timeline of Events Leading up to Missouri Compromise

With several new and pending acquisitions of land and the question of slavery in the balance, the time between independence and the Missouri Compromise is certainly very interesting. In order for students to understand what led to the Compromise and how it was created, they should create a timeline of major events that preceded the Missouri Compromise of 1820. This will provide them with a bigger picture understanding of historical context.

Teachers may pre-select events for students to discuss, or students can choose the events they deem to be the most important. This activity allows students to better understand the evolution of slavery in early America and the further historical implications of the question itself.

For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.

Select Events Leading to the Missouri Compromise of 1820

• 1783 - Independence is Achieved
• 1803 - Louisiana Purchase
• 1808 - Slave Trade Set to End
• 1815 - War of 1812 Ends
• 1819 - Debate Heats up on Slave and Free State Balance
• 1820 - Missouri Compromise Passes

Extended Activity

Have students create a timeline beginning with the Missouri Compromise and ending with the Civil War. Students should concentrate on major legislative attempts to solve the question of slavery, including the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Fugitive Slave Law, and Compromise of 1850. This will allow students to better understand how instrumental the compromise was in ultimately delaying the Civil War and how the U.S. attempted to solve the slave question.