sep 18, 1850 - Fugitive Slave Law
Description:
As part of the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Law brought a huge upset in the North. The Fugitive Slave Law allowed for southerners to look for their runaway slaves and bring them back to the south. If a southerner asked for your assistance in locating a fugitive slave, you could not deny the southerner.
The Fugitive Slave Law was significant because it drove a wedge further between the North and the South regarding the issue of slavery. Northerners were very upset with the legislation, whereas southerners were very pleased with the legislation. The Fugitive Slave Law also is significant because it blurred the definition of free land and slave land. Even if a slave was on free land, they could be taken back to the south to work.
"Authority to take and remove such fugitives from service or labor ... to the State or Territory from which such persons may have escaped or fled."
-Fugitive Slave Law
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APUSH Leading up to Civil War Timeline
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