Fugitive Slave Act

who

North, enslaved people, Henry Clay, human rights activists who helped in the Underground Railroad

when

1793-1850

What

A pair of federal laws that allowed the capture and return of runaway slaves within the territory of the United States. Elected by congress in 1793, the first Fugitive slave Act authorized local governments to seize and return escaped slaves to their owners and imposed penalties on anyone who aided in their flight. The fugitive slave acts were among the most controversial laws of the early 19th century.

where

several of the 13 colonies, United States, south and north

why

important because it showed how divided the north and south were. also gave spotlight to the discrimination and showed how much African Americans/ enslaved people were dehumanized. how they were seen as property. Because of this act several northern states passed the " personal liberty law" that gave accused runaways the right to jury trial and also protected free African Americans, many of whom had been abducted and captured by bounty hunters and sold to slavery.