The Road to DisunionThe Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Focus QuestionExplain whether or not

this is an effectiveposter:

Objectives

After today’s lesson, you will:Describe the impact of the

Fugitive Slave Act on the U.S.Discuss the impact of slavery on

the entire population

The Fugitive Slave ActPart of the Compromise of 1850Designed to protect property rights of

Southerners◦Tightened up the Fugitive Slave Act of

1793◦Intended to counter the Underground

Railroad

Activities of the Underground RailroadAssisted escaping slaves in the U.S.Illegal group of abolitionists and

sympathizersHelped conduct several thousand fugitive

slaves to freedom

Organized Resistance

◦Specific roles on the route Many known as “conductors” Set up secret meeting places, or

“stations” Organized into small groups to avoid

discovery

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850Designed to stop these activities

◦Federal commissions for fugitive slave cases

◦Cases heard by commissioners, not juries

◦Alleged slaves could not testify◦Simple affidavit enough to reclaim a

“slave”

Impacted Marshal ServiceFederal Marshals required to

assist slave huntersCould deputize bystanders

on the spotRefusal to help was

made a felony

Infuriated the NorthThe Wisconsin Supreme Court declared

the Act unconstitutional (overturned)Many states passed Personal Liberty

Laws◦Laws stressed that residents of those

states did not have to abide by the Fugitive Slave Act

◦“Nullified” the Act◦Purpose?

Cracks in the CompromiseThe Fugitive Slave Act enflamed Northern

opinion◦Assaulted ideas of personal liberty◦Assaulted ideas of fair play◦Growth of the “Slaveocracy”

Reaction to the Act infuriated the South◦Would the “Free” states continue to

abide by the Constitution?◦What protections existed for their

“property”?

Summary:

In a short response of one to two sentences, reply to the following prompt:

Why is it important to investigate this particular episode of American history?