Civil War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Civil War - Essay Example law was put forward as a measure to placate the South which was upset over the increasing number of free states and anti-slavery sentiments penetrating the government. The law enforced fines on all law personnel who did not arrest a run slave. Prior to this act, the fugitive slave act of 1793 was in action which demanded the return of run-away slaves from the free states. In other words, it was asking the North which termed slavery illegal to abide by the slavery laws of the South. This was in direct contrast with the Northern sentiments. In many states like Massachusetts that had abolished slavery during the eighteenth century, the idea of returning slaves was met with great resistance. The law was not only dangerous for the run-away slaves but also for the free blacks, people who were born and raised in the Free states. The law could easily be misused and these people could then be shipped to the South having been unjustly termed as run-away slaves. The law was not acceptable to the North as it was asking them to become part of enforcing slavery throughout the country. The intention of this law was exacerbate the ensuing tension between the North and the South, however it further increased the divide. The law gave rise to many abolitionist leader like Frederick Douglas who raised their voice actively against the discrimination. The fugitive slave act was soon followed by the Kansas Nebraska act in the 1854 which further increased the divide. The ultimate blow was however dealt during the Kansas killings when proslavery as well as antislavery supporters flooded from the North as well as the South to cast their votes. The ultimate result of all the chaos and bloodshed was the civil war itself which decided once and for all the fate of slavery in the country. The Civil War can undoubtedly be called as one of the most influential events in American history whose effects helped shape the American nation. It is important to study the causes of an event which is of