The Fugitive Slave Act was a controversial law passed by the United States Congress in 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850. This law required that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, even if they had reached a free state. The Fugitive Slave Act was a major point of contention between the North and the South in the years leading up to the American Civil War.

The act outraged many abolitionists and free blacks, as it essentially allowed for the capture and return of individuals seeking freedom. It also placed a burden on free states to cooperate in the capture and return of fugitive slaves, leading to increased tensions between supporters and opponents of slavery.

Despite its controversial nature, the Fugitive Slave Act was enforced vigorously in the years following its passage, leading to numerous conflicts and protests. It further divided the nation along sectional lines and fueled the abolitionist movement.

The Fugitive Slave Act was ultimately repealed by the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery in 1865. The act remains a significant moment in Black history as it exemplifies the struggles and injustices faced by enslaved individuals seeking freedom in antebellum America.