Activity Overview
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.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the events leading up to the Missouri Compromise.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important events, battles, or legislature and type them into the titles of each cell.
- Describe the events, battles, and legislature in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
Activity Overview
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.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the events leading up to the Missouri Compromise.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important events, battles, or legislature and type them into the titles of each cell.
- Describe the events, battles, and legislature in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How Tos about Timeline of Events Leading up to Missouri Compromise
Engage students with a classroom debate on the Missouri Compromise
Promote critical thinking by organizing a structured classroom debate where students analyze the perspectives of different historical figures involved in the Missouri Compromise. Debates spark active participation and deepen understanding of complex issues.
Assign student roles as historical figures or groups
Assign each student or group a specific historical figure or faction (e.g., Henry Clay, Southern slaveholders, Northern abolitionists). This immerses students in the viewpoints and motivations of people from that era, making history more relatable and engaging.
Provide guiding questions for research and preparation
Give students a list of guiding questions to help them prepare arguments rooted in historical fact. Focused research ensures students understand their assigned perspectives and builds confidence before the debate.
Facilitate the debate with clear rules and time limits
Outline debate rules, set time limits for each speaker, and moderate the discussion. Clear structure keeps the debate fair and productive, encouraging respectful exchange of ideas.
Debrief as a class to connect debate insights to historical outcomes
After the debate, lead a class discussion reflecting on what was learned and how different viewpoints influenced the Missouri Compromise. Debriefing solidifies understanding and fosters critical connections to the broader context of U.S. history.
Frequently Asked Questions about Timeline of Events Leading up to Missouri Compromise
What are the key events that led to the Missouri Compromise?
Key events leading to the Missouri Compromise include the achievement of American independence (1783), the Louisiana Purchase (1803), the set end of the slave trade (1808), the end of the War of 1812 (1815), and rising debates over the balance of slave and free states (1819), culminating in the passage of the Missouri Compromise in 1820.
How can students create a timeline of events before the Missouri Compromise?
Students can create a timeline by identifying major events, battles, and laws leading up to the Missouri Compromise, adding brief descriptions and visuals for each, and organizing them chronologically to show historical context.
Why was the Missouri Compromise important in American history?
The Missouri Compromise was important because it temporarily resolved tensions between free and slave states, delaying the Civil War and highlighting the growing national divide over slavery.
What is an alternative to a traditional timeline activity for teaching the Missouri Compromise?
Instead of a typical timeline, teachers can assign students to create a timeline poster for presentations or gallery walks, or use multiple templates to allow for creative and engaging timeline projects.
Which legislative acts should students include in an extended timeline from the Missouri Compromise to the Civil War?
For an extended timeline, students should include major laws such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Fugitive Slave Law, and the Compromise of 1850, showing attempts to address the issue of slavery before the Civil War.
More Storyboard That Activities
Missouri Compromise of 1820
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