| 1817 |
The territory of Missouri applies for statehood. |
| 1820 |
The Missouri statehood controversy became a national issue
as the issue of slavery was debated. The "Missouri
Compromise" allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and
Maine to enter as a free state, thus keeping the balance of slave and free
states equal in Congress. Although Missouri was allowed to enter as
a slave state, the remaining portion of the Louisiana Purchase area north
of the 36 30' line was to be forever free of slavery. |
| 1821 |
Missouri was admitted to the Union as a slave state. |
| 1857 |
The Dred Scott decision was handed down by U.S. Chief
Justice Roger B. Taney; the case of originated in St. Louis. Under
Missouri statutes, in 1846 Scott was allowed to sue for his freedom from slavery
based on the fact that he had previously lived in a free territory
(Wisconsin) before his return to the slave state of Missouri. |