Question
Why did some northerners support personal liberty laws?
(1 point)
Responses
They believed runaway slaves should be returned to their owners in the South.
They believed runaway slaves should be returned to their owners in the South.
The Fugitive Slave Act paid judges more if they ruled against slave owners.
The Fugitive Slave Act paid judges more if they ruled against slave owners.
The "Christiana Riot" showed that slave owners would violently resist the law.
The "Christiana Riot" showed that slave owners would violently resist the law.
They resented federal intervention in the affairs of independent states.
(1 point)
Responses
They believed runaway slaves should be returned to their owners in the South.
They believed runaway slaves should be returned to their owners in the South.
The Fugitive Slave Act paid judges more if they ruled against slave owners.
The Fugitive Slave Act paid judges more if they ruled against slave owners.
The "Christiana Riot" showed that slave owners would violently resist the law.
The "Christiana Riot" showed that slave owners would violently resist the law.
They resented federal intervention in the affairs of independent states.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Northerners supported personal liberty laws primarily because they resented federal intervention in the affairs of independent states. These laws were enacted to counteract the provisions of the Fugitive Slave Act, which compelled citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves and imposed severe penalties on those who aided them. By enacting personal liberty laws, Northern states sought to protect the rights of free blacks and runaway slaves, asserting state sovereignty against what they viewed as overreach by the federal government in enforcing slavery laws.