Last updated: March 29, 2025
Lesson Plan
Bellringer - Missouri Enslavement
Map showing the distribution of the slave population of the southern states of the United States. Compiled from the census of 1860.
Library of Congress
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- State Standards:
- 6-8.AH.1.GS.A
6-8.AH.1.CC.E
Essential Question
What impact did the distribution of enslavement in Missouri have on the state's role in Missouri?
Objective
1. Analyze laws, policies, and processes to determine how governmental systems affect individuals and groups in society in American history prior to c. 1870.
2. Analyze the causes and consequences of a specific problem in American history prior to 1870 as well as the challeges and opportunities faced by those trying to address the problem.
Preparation
Download the provided map and display on class projector.
Materials
Download Missouri Enslavement Map
Procedure
Look at the provided map of slavery in Missouri before the Civil War. Then, answer the following questions:
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Causes – Based on the map, why do you think slavery was more concentrated in certain areas of Missouri? Consider geography, economy, and transportation.
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Consequences – How might the distribution of slavery have affected Missouri’s role in national debates over slavery?
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Challenges & Opportunities – What challenges did enslaved people, abolitionists, and lawmakers face in trying to address the issue of slavery in Missouri?
Extension: How do you think Missouri’s position as a border state shaped the experiences of enslaved people and the efforts to end slavery?
Assessment Materials
Possible Answers:
Causes - Slavery was more concentrated along the Missouri River, particularly in the "Little Dixie" region, due to several factors:
- Geography & Agriculture: The Missouri River provided fertile soil ideal for growing cash crops like tobacco and hemp, which required intensive labor. Slavery was more prevalent in these areas where plantation-style farming was possible.
- Transportation & Trade: The river served as a major transportation route, making it easier to move goods, including enslaved people. Proximity to the river connected plantations to broader markets, increasing the demand for enslaved labor.
- Migration Patterns: Many settlers in this region came from southern states like Kentucky and Virginia, bringing with them pro-slavery beliefs and practices. In contrast, northern and southern Missouri had fewer plantations and were influenced by different geographic, economic, and cultural factors.
Consequences - The uneven distribution of slavery in Missouri influenced its role in national debates:
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Border State Tensions: Missouri was a slave state, but with divided interests. The presence of both pro-slavery and anti-slavery populations made it a battleground for sectional conflicts (Border Wars/ Kansas Nebraska Act. Bleeding Kansas).
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Missouri Compromise (1820): Missouri’s admission as a slave state led to the compromise, which attempted to balance the number of free and slave states. However, its location near free states made its status controversial.Bleeding Kansas & Civil War: Missouri's divided loyalties fueled conflicts, including violent clashes over slavery, guerrilla warfare, and competing political factions.
Challenges & Opportunities- Different groups faced distinct challenges in addressing slavery:
- Enslaved People: Resistance was dangerous, with limited opportunities for escape due to Missouri’s geography. However, the proximity of free states like Illinois provided potential escape routes (UNderground Railraod/ runnaway etc.)
- Abolitionists: They faced strong opposition in pro-slavery regions, risking violence or arrest. Still, the presence of anti-slavery activists in northern Missouri and nearby states helped create Underground Railroad routes.
- Lawmakers: Political divisions made it difficult to pass laws that fully satisfied either pro- or anti-slavery factions, contributing to national tensions that ultimately led to the Civil War.