How did the Fugitive Slave Act lead to war?
By strengthening the earlier Fugitive Slave Act of 1793, the later laws further pressured citizens to take sides regarding the issue of slavery. Tensions between the North and South quickly increased, leading to the eventual secession of the South and the ensuing Civil War.
How did the Underground Railroad cause war?
The Underground Railroad physically resisted the repressive laws that held slaves in bondage. By provoking fear and anger in the South, and prompting the enactment of harsh legislation that eroded the rights of white Americans, the Underground Railroad was a direct contributing cause of the Civil War.
What impact did the Fugitive Slave Act have on the Underground Railroad?
Most of the enslaved people helped by the Underground Railroad escaped border states such as Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland. In the deep South, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 made capturing escaped enslaved people a lucrative business, and there were fewer hiding places for them.
How did the Fugitive Slave Act increased tensions over the issue of slavery?
How did the Fugitive Slave Act and the Kansas-Nebraska Act increase tensions between the North and the South? It angered the Northern Abolitionists because they were forced to return slaves. Seven southern states seceded from the Union and fought for control of forts in the South.
What rights did slaves have?
Slaves had few legal rights: in court their testimony was inadmissible in any litigation involving whites; they could make no contract, nor could they own property; even if attacked, they could not strike a white person.
What was the punishment for runaway slaves?
Many escaped slaves upon return were to face harsh punishments such as amputation of limbs, whippings, branding, hobbling, and many other horrible acts. Individuals who aided fugitive slaves were charged and punished under this law.
How did the Underground Railroad help slaves?
Underground Railroad conductors were free individuals who helped fugitive slaves traveling along the Underground Railroad. Conductors helped runaway slaves by providing them with safe passage to and from stations. If a conductor was caught helping free slaves they would be fined, imprisoned, branded, or even hanged.
Why did the North and South each become angry?
Southerners hoped slavery would be allowed, since the issue was to be decided by popular sovereignty. Northerners were angry that the ban of slavery under the Missouri Compromise was ended. The south was happy, but the north was angry because the ruling meant slavery could spread west.