Background Information: Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 PowerPoint developed by S. Apple and J. Lampron

Imagine that an alien ship has landed in your community. You are captured and transported to a place unlike anything that you have ever experienced. You don’t understand anything about their geography or culture. You are enslaved. You think about escaping. Make a list of possible obstacles that you would face if you decided to actually attempt an escape. Obstacles to overcome:

Background Information:Fugitive Slave Act of 1850PowerPoint developed by S. Apple and J. Lampron

The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the group of laws referred to as the “Compromise of 1850” Source: The Nystrom Atlas of United States History

In this compromise, California became a free state and the slave trade, but not slavery itself, was abolished in the District of Columbia • Slavery was allowed in the newly organized territories of Utah and New Mexico • A new Fugitive Slave Act increased penalties for assisting runaway slaves

Even though this compromise was passed, no one, especially the abolitionists, were happy Source: Library of Congress

The Underground Railroad became even more active once the law was passed • A network of over 3,000 stations helped enslaved people to escape to northern states and Canada Harriet Tubam Source: http://www.mdslavery.net/html/flight/freeindex.html

Focus Question: What was the cost of freedom for American slaves who wanted to escape after 1850?

Background Information: Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 PowerPoint developed by S. Apple and J. Lampron