In the history of the United States there are not many court cases that have split the country virtually in half by one decision, but this is what happened in the Dred Scott Case. The decision made by the court split the Democratic Party in two, ended the Whig party, and formed the Republican Party...

In 1804 the United States takes formal possession of what is now Missouri. In 1820 After fierce debate, Congress admits Missouri as a slave state. The question of Missouri statehood sparks widespread disagreement over the expansion of slavery. The resolution, eventually known as ...