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By: Unknown Person
City: NYDOE
New York Department of Education
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Abolitionists opposed the fugitive slave law because it required citizens to assist in capturing and returning escaped slaves, which went against their beliefs in the moral rights of enslaved individuals and the idea of freedom.
Many abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, were strongly opposed to the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 due to its reinforcement of slavery and violation of human rights. The law mandated the return of escaped slaves to their owners, exacerbating tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery.
Many abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, openly opposed the Fugitive Slave Act because they viewed it as supporting and perpetuating the institution of slavery. Northerners, in general, were also critical of the law as it forced them to aid in the capture and return of escaped slaves, which went against their own beliefs about freedom and justice.
Abolitionists in the South were pleased with the Fugitive Slave Act because it strengthened the legal protections for slave owners trying to reclaim escaped slaves. This act required citizens to assist in the capture and return of fugitive slaves, making it easier for slave owners to maintain their property. It was perceived as a way to uphold the institution of slavery and preserve the Southern way of life.
Abolitionists and African Americans resisted the Fugitive Slave Law by forming vigilance committees, aiding fugitive slaves in their escape through the Underground Railroad, and using legal tactics to challenge the constitutionality of the law. They also organized protests, published anti-slavery literature, and raised public awareness about the injustices of the law.
Northern Abolitionists did not react favorably to the Fugitive Slave Act. This is because it supported the cause they were against.