Final answer:
Henry Clay played a major role in resolving the issue of slavery through the Missouri Compromise. The importance of latitude 36°30' was that it established a line dividing future territories where slavery would be allowed south of the line, but prohibited north of it.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the importance of Latitude 36°30'
In 1820, Henry Clay played a major role in resolving the issue of slavery through the Missouri Compromise. The Compromise included admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain a balance of power in Congress. The importance of latitude 36°30' was that it established a line dividing future territories in the Louisiana Purchase where slavery would be allowed south of the line, but prohibited north of it.