Fugitive Slave Act

The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 made the hunting down of escaped slaves full legal. More

The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 made the hunting down of escaped slaves, even in free states, fully legal. To abolitionists, this represented a huge blow to their efforts. Not only had the federal government endorsed slavery, but it had also committed to preserving the institution indefinitely.

AIR DATE 1/8/13