Question

What did the Fugitive Slave Law require of U.S. marshals, their deputies, and every ordinary citizen?

1) To help capture suspected runaways
2) To provide shelter to suspected runaways
3) To protest against the capture of suspected runaways
4) To ignore the capture of suspected runaways

Answer 1

The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 required all citizens to help in the capture of fugitive slaves and imposed penalties on those who refused or interfered. It denied accused runaways the right to a jury trial or to testify in their own defense. Northerners opposed the law due to its preference for southern slaveholders and its potential impact on states' freedom of choice.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 required all citizens to help in the capture of fugitive slaves. U.S. Marshals had the ability to deputize citizens to aid in seizing runaways. Those who refused to help or interfered in the effort to capture slaves faced stiff fines and jail time. Furthermore, those accused of being runaways had no right to a jury trial and no right to testify in their own defense. Federal commissions could send blacks, runaway or free, back to slavery solely on the sworn statement of individuals claiming to be their owners. The law also said the government would pay commissioners a $10 fee if they found in favor of the claimant, but a $5 fee if they found in favor of the accused. Frustrated about the preference the law gave to southern slaveholders, northerners began to obstruct its implementation. While the law did not turn all northerners into antislavery advocates, many believed that accepting it would undermine their states' freedom of choice.