What was the Fugitive Slave Act in simple terms?

Passed on September 18, 1850 by Congress, The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was part of the Compromise of 1850. The act required that slaves be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state. The act also made the federal government responsible for finding, returning, and trying escaped slaves.

What are 3 facts about the Fugitive Slave Act?

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 stipulated that persons aiding runaway slaves by providing food or shelter were subject to six months’ imprisonment and $1,000 fines. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 created a force of federal commissioners empowered to pursue fugitive slaves in any state and return them to their owners.

What was the main cause of the Fugitive Slave Act?

Following increased pressure from Southern politicians, Congress passed a revised Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. Part of Henry Clay’s famed Compromise of 1850—a group of bills that helped quiet early calls for Southern secession—this new law forcibly compelled citizens to assist in the capture of runaways.

What is an example of the Fugitive Slave Act?

An example of this was the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Case in 1858. A federal marshal captured a freedom seeker and attempted to return him to the South. Oberlin and Wellington residents helped the freedom seekers escape once again. Thirty-seven people were indicted for violating the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850.

How did slaves escape?

Many Means of Escape Most often they traveled by land on foot, horse, or wagon under the protection of darkness. Drivers concealed self-liberators in false compartments built into their wagons, or hid them under loads of produce. Sometimes, fleeing slaves traveled by train.

What was the punishment for runaway slaves?

Numerous escaped slaves upon return were to face harsh punishments such as amputation of limbs, whippings, branding, hobbling, and many other horrible acts. Individuals who aided fugitive slaves were charged and punished under this law.

How did Harriet Tubman not get caught?

Tubman used disguises to avoid getting caught. She dressed as a man, old woman or middle class free African American.

What age did slaves start working?

Between the ages of seven and twelve, boys and girls were put to work in intensive field work. Older or physically handicapped slaves were put to work in cloth houses, spinning cotton, weaving cloth, and making clothes.