Fugitive Slave Act

Why was the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 passed?

• Because Northern states had stopped enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act from 1793.
• It was a major effort to try and catch Harriet Tubman.
• There was a sudden epidemic of slaves running away, which they had never done before.
• It was one of the settlements which brought the Civil War to an end.

What was the Compromise of 1850?

• It was the peace treaty which ended the Civil War.
• It was an agreement that allowed Abraham Lincoln to become President.
• It was an important Supreme Court decision which prevented the Civil War for many years.
• An agreement between Northern and Southern congressmen which helped avoid the Civil War for several years.

The main provision of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 stated what?

• That Harriet Tubman was to be shot on sight.
• That all fugitive slaves must be returned to their masters.
• That fugitive slaves, if caught, were to be hanged without trial.
• That all fugitive slaves were regarded as free citizens and would no longer be pursued.

Which of the following best describes the punishment if someone was caught providing shelter to a fugitive slave?

• The person could be given up to six months in jail.
• The person would be executed for attempting to help the fugitive.
• The person would be sold into slavery.
• The person could be given a prison sentence of no less than five years.

Why did most Northerners dislike the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850?

• They felt that it was expanding the power and reach of slavery.
• They felt that it only benefited Southern slave owners and did not help Northern slave owners.
• They felt that it would only delay the Civil War, which they really wanted to happen.
• They felt a better solution to the problem would be for Southern slave owners to prevent their slaves from running away.

In the opening sentence, the word controversial means

• Marked by causing public agreement.
• Being neither right nor wrong.
• Marked by causing public dispute.
• Having no particular interest or concern; apathetic.

“Northerners did everything they could to circumvent the old Fugitive Slave Act.” In this passage, the word circumvent implies that

• Northerners strongly supported the law.
• Northerners were indifferent about the law.
• Northerners wanted a much stronger, tougher law passed to replace the original act.
• Northerners hated the law and tried to find ways around it.

The word orchestrated in the fourth paragraph means

• To compose or arrange music for performance by an orchestra.
• To arrange or control the elements of, as to achieve a desired overall effect.
• To hold financially liable; demand payment from.
• That Henry Clay had nothing to do with the bill.

“The Fugitive Slave Act was one of the principle parts of the compromise.” The word principle in the previous sentence implies

• That the Fugitive Slave Act was not important.
• That the Fugitive Slave Act did not make it into the law.
• That the Fugitive Slave Act had widespread support throughout the country.
• That the Fugitive Slave Act was a very important part of the compromise law.

The word infuriated in the eight paragraph means

• To strongly support an issue or situation.
• To cause shock or worry.
• To make light of, or fun of a situation.
• To make angry; enrage.