What was the Fugitive Slave Act?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about identifying the definition or purpose of the Fugitive Slave Act. This requires understanding US history, particularly the period leading up to the Civil War and the various laws and compromises related to slavery.
Answer
Act that required Northern states to return escaped slaves back to the South
The Fugitive Slave Act required Northern states to return escaped slaves back to the South.
Answer for screen readers
The Fugitive Slave Act required Northern states to return escaped slaves back to the South.
More Information
The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the Compromise of 1850. It mandated that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state. Individuals suspected of being escaped slaves could be arrested with minimal evidence.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse the Fugitive Slave Act with laws that directly imposed harsher punishments on runaway slaves. The key aspect was the requirement for free states to actively participate in returning individuals to slavery.
Sources
- Fugitive Slave Act | American Battlefield Trust - battlefields.org
- Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- The Fugitive Slave Act (1850) - The National Constitution Center - constitutioncenter.org
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
