Complex sentence: Ammonia was a chemical used in ice factories that helped make the ice and also refrigerated the ice until it was ready for consumption, but Americans' need for ice was considered insignificant when the American Government wanted to go to war.
Split into simpler sentences: Ammonia was a chemical used in ice factories that helped make the ice and also refrigerated the ice until it was ready for consumption. But America's need for ice was considered insignificant when the American Government wanted to go to war.