Which statement best describes the purpose of the missouri compromise of 1820? the missouri compromise tried to keep a balance between slave territory and free territory as the united states grew. the missouri compromise was an attempt to stop the spread of slavery as new states and territories were added. the missouri compromise was designed to make sure that slavery would be legal if the residents of a state wanted it to be. the missouri compromise was intended to put off the debate over slavery so it could be decided by later generations.