what effect did fugitive slave act have? select all that apply.
A. Increased the number of runaway slaves
B. Increased the number of slave catchers
C. Allowed slave owners to pursue runaway slaves into free states
D. Allowed slaves to sue for their freedom in court
To understand the effects of the Fugitive Slave Act, let's take a look at its background and key provisions first.
The Fugitive Slave Act was passed by the United States Congress in 1850 as a part of the Compromise of 1850. It aimed to address disputes over slavery and state jurisdiction by establishing rules for the return of escaped slaves to their owners. The key provisions of the act included:
1. Federal authority: The act made it the duty of all U.S. citizens to assist in the capture and return of escaped slaves. It empowered federal commissioners with the authority to issue warrants, gather posses, and demand assistance from local law enforcement.
2. Lack of due process: The act denied alleged fugitive slaves the right to a trial by jury or the right to testify on their own behalf. Instead, it relied on the testimony of the slaveholder or their witnesses, making it significantly easier for slaveholders to claim their escaped slaves.
3. Enforcement and penalties: The act imposed hefty fines on anyone obstructing the arrest or return of a fugitive slave. It also required federal marshals to execute warrants and permitted the use of force to secure captured fugitives.
Now let's discuss the effects of the Fugitive Slave Act:
1. Increased tensions: The act intensified the divide between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States. Many people in the Northern states found the act morally objectionable and a violation of basic rights, leading to heightened tensions between the North and the South.
2. Underground Railroad: The Fugitive Slave Act inspired and strengthened the Underground Railroad, which was a network of secret routes and safe houses used to help enslaved individuals escape to free states or Canada. The Act made the abolitionist movement more determined to resist the enforcement of the law, providing further momentum to the anti-slavery cause.
3. Increased number of arrests: The strict provisions and increased enforcement of the Act led to a significant increase in arrests and returns of alleged fugitive slaves. This resulted in many free African Americans being wrongfully captured and returned to bondage, causing fear and outrage among the African American community.
Based on the above information, the effects of the Fugitive Slave Act are as follows:
- Increased tensions between the North and the South.
- Strengthened the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement.
- Increased arrests and returns of alleged fugitive slaves.
Therefore, the correct options are:
- Increased tensions between the North and the South.
- Strengthened the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement.
- Increased arrests and returns of alleged fugitive slaves.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 had several effects, including:
1. Increased tension and conflict between the Northern and Southern states in the United States.
2. Escalation of the abolitionist movement in the North as many people opposed the act.
3. Implementation of stricter fugitive slave laws, which made it easier for slave owners to recapture escaped slaves.
4. Increased discrimination and injustices against free African Americans, as they were at risk of being wrongfully captured and sent into slavery.
5. Deepened the divide between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, contributing to the eventual outbreak of the Civil War.
So, the correct answer would be options 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.