Resistance from northern states: Many northern states resisted enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act, passing personal liberty laws that prohibited state officials from assisting in the capture and return of escaped slaves. Northern abolitionists and activists also provided assistance to escaping slaves through the Underground Railroad network, helping them find safe passage to free states or Canada.
Legal challenges: The Fugitive Slave Act faced legal challenges in the courts, particularly the case of Ableman v. Booth (1859), in which the Supreme Court ruled that federal law took precedence over state laws that conflicted with it. However, many northerners still refused to cooperate with the act, viewing it as morally and constitutionally wrong.
Public backlash and growing tensions: The forced return of escaped slaves under the Fugitive Slave Act created significant public backlash and outrage in the North. Incidents such as the Christiana Resistance in Pennsylvania, where an armed group of Black and white abolitionists prevented federal officials from capturing escaped slaves, highlighted the growing tensions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery.
Increasing antislavery sentiment: The Fugitive Slave Act contributed to the rise of antislavery sentiment in the North. It galvanized many northerners who opposed the expansion of slavery and saw the act as a violation of individual liberty and human rights. The act intensified debates about the morality and legality of slavery, further widening the rift between the North and the South.
Ultimately, the Fugitive Slave Act's failure to effectively return escaped slaves and the growing resistance it faced weakened support for the institution of slavery and accelerated the movement towards the abolition of slavery in the United States.