Question

which of the following statements about the missouri compromise of 1820 is correct?
a it began the difficult process of emancipating slaves in the upper south.
b it sought to abolish the slave trade in the district of columbia.
c it was an attempt to preserve the balance between the number of free and slave states.
d it allowed residents of each state to decide for themselves if slavery should be allowed.

Explanation:

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was crafted to maintain sectional balance in Congress by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while banning slavery in new territories north of the 36°30' parallel. Option A is incorrect as it did not start emancipation in the Upper South. Option B is incorrect because the compromise did not address the slave trade in D.C. Option D describes popular sovereignty, which was part of later compromises like the Kansas-Nebraska Act, not the 1820 Missouri Compromise.

Answer:

C. It was an attempt to preserve the balance between the number of free and slave states.