One reason the Missouri Compromise did not have lasting effects is that it only provided a temporary solution to the issue of slavery in the territories. The compromise established a dividing line at 36°30' north latitude, stating that any states admitted above this line would be free states, while those admitted below it would be slave states. However, as the United States expanded westward, the question of slavery in new territories continued to arise, leading to more debates and ultimately the American Civil War. Thus, the compromise only delayed the eventual confrontation over slavery and did not resolve the underlying issue.
