The Missouri Compromise was an important political divider. What did this line divide? \( \begin{array}{l}2^{\text {nd }} \text { Attemp } \\ \text { Outhern politics and } \\ \text { Northern politics }\end{array} \) \( \begin{array}{c}\text { nationalists and } \\ \text { sectionalists }\end{array} \) \( \begin{array}{c}\text { Free states and slave } \\ \text { states }\end{array} \)

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 aimed to balance the power between free states and slave states in the Union. It established a geographical line across the Louisiana Territory, where slavery would be permitted south of the 36°30' parallel and prohibited north of it. This compromise was designed to alleviate tensions regarding the expansion of slavery, as both regions sought to protect their interests and uphold their ideologies. As a result, the Missouri Compromise marked a significant moment in American history, setting the stage for future conflicts leading to the Civil War. It was an early attempt at creating political agreements that could maintain peace in a rapidly growing nation divided by deeply entrenched views on slavery, which continued to challenge the unity of the United States.