The problem here was that the United States was trying to figure out what to do with territory that they received due to the results of the war with Mexico. they were trying to decide whether the territory should be free or slave? Or like the rest of the country was asking, will they be able to choose for themselves? California wanted to enter the union as a free state and the boundaries of Texas were being questioned. Then came into play Washington D.C., the capital of the country and also home to the largest slave market on this continent. Texas would have to pay back its debt to Mexico and the territory attained from them would be used to organize new free states. If a slave ran away the citizens would have to help with finding them again, they had their right for a trial revoked and many ran away. About 20,000 blacks moved to what is now known as Canada due to this law. It was devastating for our country because the population was decreased and work force was shrunk down to one-sixth.
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