Fugitive Slave Act

• African Americans taken into custody if accused of being a runaway slave. – Not allowed to testify in court

• Financial incentive– $10 if commissioner finds in favor of

slaveholder– $5 if in favor of accused escapee

Underground Railroad

• What was it?

• Who was involved?

Conflict in Kansas Territory

• Free soilers settled in Kansas Territory– Want to end slavery in the territories

• Proslavery settlers (MO) voted in KS elections– Led to creation of two capitals

• Topeka, antislavery• Lecompton, proslavery

• Tensions led to violence between the two groups

Confict in KS and beyond

• Pottawatomie Creek – John Brown led group in an attack on a

proslavery settlement

• Congress– Sen. Charles Sumner blamed Southerners for

forcing slavery on KS; insulted Sen. Butler– Rep. Brooks attacked Sen. Sumner

• Supported by Southerners