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
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