The Fugitive Slave Act was a law passed in 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850. It was designed to protect the rights of slave owners by allowing them to reclaim any escaped slaves who had crossed state lines. It also required all citizens to assist in the capture of escaped slaves, and imposed heavy fines and jail time for anyone who refused to comply. The Act was important to the Compromise of 1850 because it was a major concession to the Southern states, who had been demanding stronger protection for their slave property. The Act was highly controversial and was eventually repealed in 1864.
