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Question: Why 36:30:00 Longitude For 1860 Chittenden Compromise!?
I was wondering why did Senator Chittenden from KY propose drawing a line of 36:30:00 longitude North for free states!? I mean was there some special reason why this number, was it to ensure a certain territory be allowed slavery that would have been omitted if he chose 35 degrees or 36 degrees!? Or was it to ensure a certain state would retain slave rights!?
Had the 1860 comprosmise succeeded would it mean that Kansas and Nebraska and even Delaware (which I think is above 36:30:00) would become free states, or just that the states had the option of being free states!?
ANyways, not homework, just curious!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
That was the line established for the Missouri Compromise in 1820, which governed slavery in the Louisiana Territory!. It would have ended slavery in Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, paying compensation to slave owners of freed slaves!. But, it would have Constitutionally guaranteed slavery south of the line!. And, one of the six Constitutional amendments that were part of the compromise would have made it impossible to amend the Constitution in the future to prohibit slavery!.
Kentucky and Maryland were never strong slave states!. And, the fields of Virginia were played out by the destructive practice of plantation cotton -- easy to grow, but devastating on the soil!. So Southern planters were not really giving up a lot for a Constitutional guarantee of slavery!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
36 30 was the original Missouri Compromise in 1820!. This was superceded by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854!. He was hoping that by reserving the Kansas-Nebraska Act and going back to the Missouri Compromise he could avoid the Civil War!.Www@QuestionHome@Com