.
Why did the Fugitive Slave Act anger Northerners?
It prioritized states’ rights over the rights of the federal government.
It increased federal intervention in the affairs of independent states.
It contradicted the Wilmot Proviso.
It contradicted the Missouri Compromise.
The Fugitive Slave Act angered Northerners because it increased federal intervention in the affairs of independent states. It was a federal law that required the capture and return of escaped slaves to their owners, even if they were found in free states. This law went against the ideals of individual states' rights and the ability of states to make their own decisions regarding slavery. It also contradicted the beliefs of many Northerners who opposed slavery and believed in the importance of personal freedom.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 angered Northerners for several reasons.
First, it prioritized states' rights over the rights of the federal government. The Act allowed slave owners and their agents to pursue and capture runaway slaves in any state or territory, even in areas where slavery was prohibited. This undermined the authority of free states to protect the rights of African Americans within their borders.
Second, it increased federal intervention in the affairs of independent states. The Act mandated the participation of federal officials and the use of federal resources to enforce the capture and return of fugitive slaves. This violated the principle of limited government and encroached on the sovereignty of states.
Third, the Fugitive Slave Act contradicted the Wilmot Proviso. The Wilmot Proviso was a proposed amendment that sought to prohibit slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico. Northerners who supported the Wilmot Proviso saw the Fugitive Slave Act as a direct opposition to their efforts to prevent the spread of slavery in new territories.
Lastly, the Act also contradicted the Missouri Compromise. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 established a line of latitude across the Louisiana Territory, prohibiting slavery in the territories north of the 36°30' parallel. The Fugitive Slave Act allowed for the capture and return of slaves within these territories, disregarding the previous agreement and further antagonizing abolitionist sentiments in the North.