jan 1, 1850 - The Fugitive Slave Act

Description:

This Act strengthened previous fugitive acts by because it eliminated jury trial for alleged fugitives and it required individual citizens, not just state officials to help return runaways. However, enslaved African Americans still continued to escape to the North, helped by free African Americans, or Quakers, Baptist or Methodist meetinghouses whose members were opposed to slavery. They also journeyed on the underground railroad until them made it to safety and freedom.

Added to timeline:

Date: