Final answer:
If Harriet Tubman were caught, she would have faced severe consequences including being returned to slavery, physical punishment, and potential separation from her family.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Harriet Tubman were caught, she would have faced severe consequences. As an escaped enslaved person who actively helped others escape through the Underground Railroad, Tubman was considered a threat to the institution of slavery. If caught, she would have likely been returned to slavery, subjected to physical punishment, and potentially sold away from her family and friends.The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 made it even more dangerous for freedom-seekers like Tubman. The act required the capture and return of escaped slaves, and anyone caught assisting them faced prosecution.