Laws were passed to make sure that the slave was returned. They were considered property, and people who helped them or hid them were breaking the law. It was a crime.
Because they were infringing a Federal Law: The Fugitive Slave Law.
the fugitive slave law
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required people in all states to help slave owners catch their runaway slaves. This law allowed slave owners to reclaim escaped slaves and required citizens to assist in their capture or face legal consequences.
The Fugitive Slave Laws
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required all states to help slave owners recapture their runaway slaves, even if those states did not practice slavery. This law allowed slave owners to pursue escaped slaves into free states and required citizens to assist in their capture.
fugitive slave lawsfugitive slave act
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.
The Fugitive Slave Act.
Helping runaway slaves was dangerous because it was illegal under the Fugitive Slave Act, which required authorities in free states to help capture and return escaped slaves. Those found aiding runaway slaves could face fines, imprisonment, or violence from pro-slavery groups. Additionally, assisting in the escape of slaves challenged the institution of slavery itself, posing a threat to the established social order.
Fugitive Slave Act, 1850.
Laws in place, such as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, made it illegal to help runaway slaves by offering them refuge or assistance in escaping to freedom. Those who aided runaway slaves could face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Abolitionists, who were people who knew that holding another person as a slave was evil and wrong, and were willing to risk their lives to help runaway slaves.