Final answer:
Fugitive slaves participated in the abolition movement by advocating for emancipation, joining military service, and supporting activities of abolitionists in the North. They played a critical role in the fight against slavery, contributing to petitions, daring rescues, and influencing public opinion, especially as tensions grew with laws like the Fugitive Slave Act.
Step-by-step explanation:
Participation of Fugitive Slaves in the Abolition Movement
Fugitive slaves became active participants in the abolition movement by various means. Some, after liberating themselves or being emancipated by their owners, joined the free black community and became vocal advocates for emancipation. Using rhetoric similar to that of the American colonists desiring freedom from their 'imperial masters,' they petitioned for an end to slavery, as Felix did in Boston in 1773. Additionally, during the colonial and revolutionary era, African and African American men served in the military, with enslaved men sometimes being sent by their slaveholders to fight or with runaways posing as free men to enlist.
The work of abolitionists in northern communities was crucial for protecting fugitive slaves. They passed 'personal liberty laws,' formed vigilance committees, and participated in daring rescues, as seen in the cases of William and Ellen Craft, and Shadrach. In the 1850s, however, despite their efforts, many fugitives preferred to flee to Canada rather than risk recapture by slave catchers.
Events such as the Fugitive Slave Act further spurred abolitionist action and drew fugitive slaves into the movement. Prominent figures like Frederick Douglass believed in standing up against the law, sometimes through violent means. High-profile cases, such as Anthony Burns's, incited mass demonstrations and interventions but also highlighted the harsh realities of the fight against slavery. As tension escalated in the United States, the idealism of the abolition movement shifted towards a more intense battle for the country's moral direction, culminating in radical acts like John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry.