How did the Fugitive Slave Act favor the South? %0D%0A%0D%0A(1 point)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0AIt imposed fines for hiding runaway slaves.%0D%0AIt imposed fines for hiding runaway slaves.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt allowed slavery in all new territories.%0D%0AIt allowed slavery in all new territories.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt maintained the balance between slave and free states.%0D%0AIt maintained the balance between slave and free states.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt forbade slaves to leave their masters.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 favored the South in several ways:
1) It imposed fines for hiding runaway slaves: This provision of the act made it a crime to assist or harbor escaped slaves. By imposing heavy fines on individuals who helped runaway slaves, it discouraged northerners from aiding fugitives and made it easier for slave owners to reclaim their escaped property.
2) It allowed slavery in all new territories: The act included provisions that allowed for the continuation of slavery in the new territories acquired from Mexico during the Mexican-American War. This was advantageous for the South as it allowed for the expansion of slavery to these areas, ensuring the preservation and expansion of the institution.
3) It maintained the balance between slave and free states: The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the Compromise of 1850, which aimed to maintain equilibrium between slave and free states. By enforcing the return of escaped slaves to their owners, the act catered to the interests of the South and helped appease them, preventing further tensions between slave and free states.
4) It forbade slaves to leave their masters: The act made it illegal for slaves to physically resist or escape from their owners, thereby reinforcing the institution of slavery and ensuring that slaves remained in bondage. This provision was advantageous for the South as it helped to maintain their labor force and control over their enslaved population.