The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a federal law that allowed for the capture and return of escaped slaves within the United States. It also made it illegal for anyone to assist an escaped slave, and imposed harsh penalties on those who did. The Act had a profound effect on the lives of African Americans, as it made it much more difficult for them to escape slavery and find freedom. It also increased the power of slave owners, as they could now pursue their escaped slaves with the full force of the law.
