Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Act of the United States Congress

The Fugitive Slave Act (also called the Fugitive Slave Law) was made law by the United States Congress on September 18, 1850. It was a part of the Compromise of 1850. It required that slaves who escaped but were caught had to be sent back to the slaver. The Act also made officials and private citizens of free states cooperate in returning the escaped slaves. The Act was part of the reason the Northern states and Southern states grew further apart, which led to the American Civil War.

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
Great Seal of the United States
Long titleAn Act to amend, and supplementary to, the Act entitled "An Act respecting Fugitives from Justice, and Persons escaping from the Service of their Masters", approved February twelfth, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three.
Enacted bythe 31st United States Congress
Citations
Public lawPub.L. 31-60
Statutes at LargeStat. 462
Legislative history
Major amendments
Repealed by Act of June 28, 1864, 13 Stat. 200