How Did The Fugitive Slave Act Of 1850 Have Increased Sectionalism?

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The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 had increased sectionalism by intensifying the debate over slavery. The passing of the Fugitive Slave Act had increased sectionalism, which eventually led to the Civil War. In an attempt to resist the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, many Northern states had passed the Personal Liberty Laws. These laws had counteracted the Fugitive slave act and protected escaped slaves who had settled in the North. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 also allowed law enforcement to force bystanders to participate to help chasing runaway slaves. Any citizen who had aided a slave in their runaway could be imprisoned for 6 months or was fined $1,000. The capture of Anthony Burns under the Fugitive Slave Act had led to civil unrest