The American Creation - Essay Example

July 2009 American Creation The American Civil war was fought for four long years from 1861 to 1865. Also known as the War between the States, the civil war. The war is considered to be one of the most creative eras in American history (Ellis).This war was fought when eleven Southern slave states decided to separate themselves from the government and form the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was responsible for heading this movement that stood against the US federal government: which consisted of all the Free states and five border slave states. The idea of civil war erupted during the elections in 1860 when Lincoln's Republican Party won. Lincoln had fought the elections with the claim that slavery would not be spread into any new state and would remain within the states where it existed. These seven states then rooted for succession, even before Lincoln took office. This move was rejected by the US administration and seen as a rebellion. The American Civil War was one of the deadliest wars in history. It resulted in the deaths of hundred thousands of soldiers: approximately 620000 and civilians (Donald 2001). This essay will discuss if civil war was inevitable and what were the major causes the forced the seven states into rebelling against the newly formed government. Timing and space were seen as a vital aspect of gaining freedom from the British forces (Ellis). Not only did this freedom come during a time when human rights were better understood, there was no choice left but for the American nation to seek independence. Also, the geography of America was such that its vastness compelled it to be wrested out of the hands of the occupying forces. In the same way, the leaders understood this concept of time and space, allowing them to be victorious in the civil war. The compromises of 1850 had been created to resolve any territorial or slavery problems that arose in the newly created state (Rhodes 1896). These laws were created for the slave states of the South and the free states of the North. The self-righteous but truly commercial motives of the North were often masked as a crusade (Stammp). These compromises were made to ensure that no state felt itself ousted from the system, allowing them to play an integral and vital role in giving stability to the burgeoning country. These compromises included various forms initiated by the government. For instance, Texas was a necessary state to include in the country. When Mexico took over the state of Texas, the only solution for America was to buy the heavily indebted state with which a large portion of the land was moved under the control of America's federal government. Another one these compromises included the decision made on the territories of New Mexico and Utah. The provisions provided by the compromise organized the land given to both states. It also gave them the freedom of choosing to permit or prohibit slavery depending on the decision of the masses. This however was a flaw that was later corrected by the Wilmot Proviso which forbade slavery in any territory that was acquired from Mexico (Holt 1978). Thus, while the land and borders had been marked. The problems existing within the states were not recognized in the compromise. California was accepted as a free state within the decisions of this compromise. Another aspect of these compromises was the abolition of slave trade in the District of Columbia. Thus it was made to suit the needs of those who had possession of slaves. It was seen as a huge step because it stopped the sale of slaves in the region but did not work to dig out the root of problem: the possession of slaves. One of the most important aspects of the compromises made in 1850 was the installation of the Fugitive Slave Act. This Act did not specify any state: free or slave. Every territory was expected to take any slave who had run away back to the owner. Thus, ordinary citizens could be to participate in the custody, capture and transportation of the escaped slave back to their owner. This law was so apt on being pro-slavery. It forbade the alleged slave from being issued a fair trial. The Fugitive Act meant that every state official or federal marshal was liable to a fine it they did not assist in the catching of a runaway slave. This created problems between the north and south. Especially because the north could not assist in what they began to see as painful and unjust in the tragedies and action meted out to the slaves. Thus, both sides were ripped apart. One saw this as a blatant misuse of human life while the other felt it their birth right to possess these slaves. The Pearl incident added fuel to the fire in its irresponsible act towards slaves. Occurring in 1848, seventy-six slaves tried to escape from Washington DC (Simmons 2004). This is said to be one of the largest attempts ever recorded in recorded in history as an endeavor for slaves to escape. Washington DC was one of the states that allowed slavery to be carried out and traded. Daniel Drayton hated the entire concept of slavery and with his personal motives of money involved he agreed to help in the escape of some slaves to freedom. However, these slaves were caught and shipped back to Washington DC. As a punishment to the slaves they were sold to owners in Georgia and Louisiana. The result of this incident was the compromise that claimed slavery was not abolished. This incident resulted in more problems because it showed the differences between those who supported slavery and those who spoke against it. The following incidents and compromises are ample proof that the Civil War had been quietly brewing under the wraps. The United States was still a novice country that was adapting and learning the needs and desires of its citizens. Slavery had been a strong part of the American culture in the past years. Its removal was a concept that was still difficult to understand. When Lincoln forbade slavery in new states, the slave states were bothered by the problems these new laws could create. With the hopes of showing their resentment of the abolition of states, the South felt the creation of a new confederacy would be the best way to solve the looming crisis. The question that arises is where the founding fathers of the country were during this entire crisis. It is true that the leaders involved in this battle had the ideological and temperamental diversity that allowed them to be victorious (Ellis). The men who had been working on the constitution and creation of the new state were not aware of the massive civil war that would break out because of this crisis. James Madison wrote that slavery would end in the new country claiming that it would be a favor on humanity if the idea of slaves was abolished. However, Madison did not foresee the war that would break out (Niepert). The founding fathers were not aware of the war that was going to break out. The slaves were the biggest reason for this outbreak. However, history shows that slavery was a part of American culture but the recent changes in humanity's opinion had led to problems that had no conclusion except war. Works Cited Donald, David, 2001. The Civil War and Reconstruction, W W Norton & Co Inc. Ellis J 2007, American creation, Knopf Holt, M F 1978. The Political Crisis of the 1850s. W W Norton & Co Inc. McPherson, J 1988. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era, Oxford University Press. Niepert R, Our founding fathers predicted the Civil War, July 1 2009 < http://www.floridareenactorsonline.com/foundingfathers.htm> Rhodes J 1896, History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850, vol. I, HardPress New York Simmons Deborah 2004, The Pearl incident, The Washington Times Stammp K 1992, The causes of the Civil War, Touchstone Read More