The Road to Disunion The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Focus Question Explain whether or not this is an effective poster:

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 Act Part of the Compromise of 1850 Designed to protect property rights of Southerners ◦ Tightened up the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 ◦ Intended to counter the Underground Railroad

Activities of the Underground Railroad Assisted escaping slaves in the U.S. Illegal group of abolitionists and sympathizers Helped 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 1850 Designed 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 Service Federal Marshals required to assist slave hunters Could deputize bystanders on the spot Refusal to help was made a felony

Infuriated the North The 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 Compromise The 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?