In 1850, the United States Congress passes the Fugitive Slave Law, or Fugitive Slave Act. It was a part of the Compromise of 1850. It forced all runaway slaves to come back to their original masters.
The Fugitive Slave Acts were passed by the U.S. Congress in 1793 and 1850. The first act was drafted by Congress, while the second act was amended from the original law.
The fugitive slave laws were established in the United States as part of the Compromise of 1850 to address the issue of runaway slaves. These laws required that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, even if they had reached free states. The laws aimed to strengthen the institution of slavery and appease the Southern states.
Some northern states used personal liberty laws to nullify the figitive slave Act, written to help the south.
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.
It meant that runaway slaves could be hunted down by official slave-catchers and returned to their owners. This aroused great sympathy for the runaways, and prompted Harriet Beecher Stowe to write 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.
The Fugitive Slave Acts were passed by the U.S. Congress in 1793 and 1850. The first act was drafted by Congress, while the second act was amended from the original law.
fugitive slave lawsThe Fugitive Act
The fugitive slave laws were established in the United States as part of the Compromise of 1850 to address the issue of runaway slaves. These laws required that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, even if they had reached free states. The laws aimed to strengthen the institution of slavery and appease the Southern states.
Some northern states used personal liberty laws to nullify the figitive slave Act, written to help the south.
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.
The first three laws of the Compromise of 1850 were enacted on September 9, 1850. The first of these concerned the State of Texas and organization of the Territory of New Mexico; the second concerned organization of the Territory of Utah; the third concerned admission of California to the Union. The fourth law, enacted September 18, 1850, was the notorious Fugitive Slave Law. The fifth law, enacted September 20, 1850, banned the slave trade from the District of Columbia.
Some northern states used personal liberty laws to nullify the figitive slave Act, written to help the south.
It meant that runaway slaves could be hunted down by official slave-catchers and returned to their owners. This aroused great sympathy for the runaways, and prompted Harriet Beecher Stowe to write 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.
Help return runaway slaves to their owners.
The the southern states had not yet seceded when the Fugitive Slave Laws were passed, and the Dred Scott Case was decided.
Blacks continued to run away
The Fugitive Slave Laws