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First, not all Northerners in the US opposed slavery, just as not all Southerners were in favor of slavery. [Note, for example, the initial failure of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas to secede from the Union due to popular resistance to secession. Or, the "secession from a secession" of the western coal counties of Virginia - now West Virginia - to break from secessionist Virginia and remain in the Union.]
Second, there is no definitive, single reason Northerners opposed slavery. There were multiple reasons for opposition (both in the North and South) to fugitive slave laws. One reason was moral - slavery is the owning of a human being by another against the will of the slave. That alone was sufficient reason for some to oppose the fugitive slave laws. Another was the presumption the law based upon - that a human being can be classified as property with no rights or liberties under the law.
Another reason was the slippery slope nature of slavery. If certain residents of certain States were classified as property, is it not possible or highly probable that the definition of "human property" could be expanded to include me? Often forgotten was that not all slaves were black, nor all black slaves were from Africa. There were slaves from Africa, Australia's aboriginal tribes, Chinese and even whites from the underclasses of Europe.
Another reason was that slavery - "human property" - was not neat, clean or civilized. A knock on the head, intoxication or drugging of drink, capture by netting, throwing into a ship's hold and docking in a foreign port - that all that was necessary for anyone to go from free person to slave. There were no photo IDs, communication was through the unreliable and slow mails that could take months to get to the intended party, paperwork - even official proof of freed status - was often ignored or easily destroyed. Judges road circuits and often a town did not see a judge for months. There was no right to an attorney, since the slave was presumed to be property and therefore without any civil rights. A person literally did not have the right to challenge their slavery in court because, by law, they had no rights. No rights = no recourse or remedy at law.
Another reason, not often mentioned, was that if a fugitive slave was captured in another state, as property without legal rights, the captured fugitive was easily converted into the property of the person who captured the fugitive slave. Before the fugitive slave laws were passed, it was easier for such conduct to occur, and often difficult for the "property owner" to assert their rights. But, after passage, the full power of law enforcement and legal system was behind original owner of the fugitive slave. That made asserting their "property rights" over the captured fugitive slave easier - and much harder for the unscrupulous fugitive slave's new owner.
There are other reasons for the opposition to slavery and the fugitive slave laws. I hope this answer helps you in your further research on the subject.
What else can I help you with?
Which the law punished northerners who assisted escaped slaves?
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allowed slave owners to pursue escaped slaves into free states, where Northerners who aided the slaves could be fined or imprisoned. This law was part of a series of legislation that aimed to maintain the institution of slavery in the United States.
Why did the second federal fugitive slave law of 1850 make northerners mad?
The reason the second federal fugitive slave law made northerners upset was because most northerners thought that slavery was immoral and that they would have to help capture the slaves or be finned is impeachment of there rights.
What was the law called that required northerners to help southerners catch their slaves?
The law was called the Fugitive Slave Act, enacted in 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850. It mandated that all escaped slaves, regardless of their location, be captured and returned to their owners, compelling Northerners to assist in this process.
Why did Northerners oppose the Fugitive Slave Act?
Northerners opposed the Fugitive Slacve law because they were against slavery, so they didn't want to help capture runaway slaves because they thought that if they had got away, then leave them alone. Besides it would make slavery worse in a way.
How did the southerners expect northerners to react to the fugitive slave act how did the northerners actually react?
Southerners expected Northerners to comply with the Fugitive Slave Act by helping to capture and return escaped slaves. However, many Northerners reacted with resistance, forming anti-slavery groups to hide and protect fugitive slaves and refusing to cooperate with authorities trying to enforce the law. This led to increased tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery.
What act required northerners to capture runaway slaves?
The Fugitive Slave Law.
Why did they make the fugitive slave law?
because it is a law that that required northerners to return escaped slaves to their owners.
Which the law punished northerners who assisted escaped slaves?
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allowed slave owners to pursue escaped slaves into free states, where Northerners who aided the slaves could be fined or imprisoned. This law was part of a series of legislation that aimed to maintain the institution of slavery in the United States.
What did the northerners dislike about fugitive slave law of 1850?
Northerners, especially abolitionists, disliked the 'Bloodhound Law' as it required escaped slaves to be returned to their masters even if they were found in a free state. Northerners worried that the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was part of a vast conspiracy of the southern plantation elite.
What part of Compromise of 1850 angered northerners to the point they abandoned Fillmore and brought an end to his political career?
The Fugitive Slave Law angered the Northerners a lot.
What two factors were most affective in making northerners into abolitionists for good?
Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Fugitive Slave Law.
Did the southerners favor or oppose the fugitive slave law?
In favor. They saw slaves as property and wanted their property back.
Why did the second federal fugitive slave law of 1850 make northerners mad?
The reason the second federal fugitive slave law made northerners upset was because most northerners thought that slavery was immoral and that they would have to help capture the slaves or be finned is impeachment of there rights.
What was the law called that required northerners to help southerners catch their slaves?
The law was called the Fugitive Slave Act, enacted in 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850. It mandated that all escaped slaves, regardless of their location, be captured and returned to their owners, compelling Northerners to assist in this process.
When was fugitive slave law passed?
the first fugitive slave law was passed in 1793.
Why did Northerners oppose the Fugitive Slave Act?
Northerners opposed the Fugitive Slacve law because they were against slavery, so they didn't want to help capture runaway slaves because they thought that if they had got away, then leave them alone. Besides it would make slavery worse in a way.
How did the southerners expect northerners to react to the fugitive slave act how did the northerners actually react?
Southerners expected Northerners to comply with the Fugitive Slave Act by helping to capture and return escaped slaves. However, many Northerners reacted with resistance, forming anti-slavery groups to hide and protect fugitive slaves and refusing to cooperate with authorities trying to enforce the law. This led to increased tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery.
