The Civil War

Chanel Ninan December 5, 2005

Mrs. Siiss Per. 5

The Civil War

The civil war was the greatest war in American History. Three million people fought in it and out of them six hundred thousand died. It was the only war fought on American soil by Americans. The compromise of 1850 was one compromise that tried to avoid a war. The fugitive slave act was one of the events of the 1850's that led to a Civil War. Until 8161, compromise helped the United States to avoid a Civil war.

Under the Compromise of 1850 many things happened to help avoid war. California wanted to become a free state which of course once again rose slavery issues. Henry Clay came up with a compromise so that California could be free. The slave trade in Washington D.C. was abolished because they felt that they were the capital and because both the north and south didn't want slavery that they shouldn't have it either. The Fugitive Slave Act which made officials and citizens responsible for capturing and returning slaves was made. Mexico territory was split into New Mexico and Utah where the slavery was determined by Popular Sovereignty. Texas also paid ten million dollars to drop claims to New Mexico. The Compromise of 1850 accomplished what it set out to do, it kept the nation united but the solution was only temporary. Over the following decade the country's citizens became further divided over the issue of slavery until the Civil War finally broke out.

There were many events that led to the breakout of the Civil War. One in particular was The Fugitive Slave Act. The Fugitive Slave Act made pretty much everyone responsible for capturing and returning slaves that were running away. Therefore it made it illegal for people to help with the Underground Railroad. It was made to try and stop slaves from escaping and free citizens from aiding in escape attempts, legislation was passed in Congress by southern congressmen. Southerners thought that the Fugitive Slave Act would diminish the incentive for slaves to attempt escape. The rationale behind this was making the slaves realize that even if they managed to escape from their plantation, they could still be caught and returned by any citizen in the United States. The Fugitive Slave Act was so severe that Senator Henry Clay legislated that any United States official or