Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
The Fugitive Slave Act or Fugitive Slave Law was a law passed by the 31st United States Congress on September 18, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850 between Southern interests in slavery and Northern Free-Soilers.
Long title | An Act to amend, and supplementary to, the Act entitled "An Act respecting Fugitives from Justice, and Persons escaping from the Service of their Masters", approved February twelfth, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three. |
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Enacted by | the 31st United States Congress |
Citations | |
Public law | Pub. L. 31–60 |
Statutes at Large | 9 Stat. 462 |
Legislative history | |
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Major amendments | |
Repealed by Act of June 28, 1864, 13 Stat. 200 |
Part of a series on |
Slavery |
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The Act was one of the most controversial elements of the 1850 compromise and heightened Northern fears of a slave power conspiracy. It required that all escaped slaves, upon capture, be returned to the enslaver and that officials and citizens of free states had to cooperate. The Act contributed to the growing polarization of the country over the issue of slavery. It was one of the factors that led to the American Civil War.
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