The Fugitive Slave Act (1850): The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the Compromise of 1850,
and it required that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, even if they had reached free
states. It allowed slave owners or their agents to capture suspected runaway slaves in northern
states, and citizens were required to assist in the capture if called upon. The law denied
accused fugitives the right to a trial by jury and had harsh penalties for anyone aiding runaway
slaves. This act angered many in the North, leading to increased tensions over slavery.
Personal Liberty Laws: Personal Liberty Laws were state laws passed in Northern states in
response to the Fugitive Slave Act. These laws were designed to protect free African Americans
and runaway slaves from being captured and sent back to the South. They granted fugitives the
right to a jury trial and required that state authorities refuse to cooperate with the enforcement of
the Fugitive Slave Act. The goal was to undermine the federal law and provide some form of
protection to fugitives.
The Ostend Manifesto: The Ostend Manifesto was a document written in 1854 by U.S.
diplomats in Europe, arguing that the United States should seize Cuba by force if Spain refused
to sell the island. The manifesto was tied to the idea of expanding slave territory, as Cuba was
seen as a potential new slave state. Though the U.S. government did not act on the manifesto,
it sparked controversy, especially in the North, as it was seen as a move to expand slavery into
new territories.
Nativism and the Know-Nothing Party: Nativism is the political belief that favors the interests
of native-born inhabitants over immigrants. During this period, nativism was often directed
against Irish and German immigrants, especially Catholics, due to fear of their growing influence
and economic competition. The Know-Nothing Party, also known as the American Party, was a
political party formed in the 1850s that sought to limit the influence of immigrants, particularly
Catholics, in politics and society. The party's members were secretive and often responded to
questions about their activities with "I know nothing," hence the name.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a law that created two new
territories, Kansas and Nebraska, and allowed settlers in those territories to decide through
popular sovereignty whether slavery would be allowed. The act effectively repealed the Missouri
Compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery in these territories. This led to violent
clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Kansas, an event known as "Bleeding
Kansas." The act intensified national divisions over slavery and contributed to the formation of
the Republican Party.
