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10.2

10.2. Fugitive Slaves. Fugitive Slave Laws. By the 1840’s hundreds if not thousands of slaves escaped to freedom by way of the underground railroad

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10.2

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  1. 10.2 Fugitive Slaves

  2. Fugitive Slave Laws • By the 1840’s hundreds if not thousands of slaves escaped to freedom by way of the underground railroad • Many Northerners also refused to cooperate in returning fugitive slaves. States even passed personal liberty laws to help delay the return of runaway slaves • These actions angered Southerners and led to a demand for a stronger fugitive slave law

  3. Fugitive Slaves • The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 was one of the toughest and harshest measures ever passed by Congress • It required that federal marshals and ordinary citizens help to apprehend fugitive slaves • Anyone who refused or helped runaway slaves were fined or imprisoned • The law made it nearly impossible for black people to prove they were free. Of the 322 captives reclaimed under this law only 11 were released as free people

  4. The Pursuit of Runaway Slaves • Federal authorities relentlessly pursued runaway slaves and gave African Americans very little chance to argue their freedom • Many free people were returned to slavery under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

  5. William and Ellen Craft • Black and white abolitionists organized vigilance committees to resist(by force if needed) the return of slaves to the South • Two fugitive slaves in Massachusetts, William and Ellen Craft, were defended by abolitionists in Boston when slave catchers arrived to take them back • A vigilance committee protected these two runaway slaves and forced their attackers to flee. The Crafts then fled to England

  6. Resistance to Fugitive Slave Laws • There was resistance to the new fugitive slave laws • An armed battle erupted in Christiana PA, when federal marshals and slaveholders came to claim fugitive slaves, resulting in the death of the slave owner • The government indicted many of the people who defended the slaves but could not obtain a conviction

  7. Assignment • Answer the two “What Do You Think?” questions on pg. 318 in the textbook • Secondly, write a summary that briefly describes what happened to the fugitive slaves Shadrach, Thomas Sims, Anthony Burns and Magaret Garner (pgs. 320-322) • Explain the outcome for each individual and your reaction to their situation

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