These
acts were
statutes passed by
Congress to legalize the
capture and
return of
fugitive slaves. Since
fleeing
slaves usually headed
North (
duh) they were basically
rules for
extradition that stripped any
right of
defense from the
slaves.
Slaves were not allowed a
trial by
jury or to act in their own
legal defense.
The reaction to these acts was expansive. Many of the Northern states made laws to defend the rights of escaped slaves (which incidentally were named by many Southern states as the official reason for their secession.) The Underground Railroad kicked into high gear and abolitionists were galvanized into action.
The adoption of the Fugitive Slave Acts started in 1850 and were not repealed until 1864.