The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross

Classroom | Fugitive Slave Act

Learn about the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, and what led to its implementation. Southerners pushed for harsh laws to staunch the flow of runaways—culminating in the notorious Fugitive Slave Act of 1850--a watershed moment in American history. This video is an excerpt from Episode Two, The Age of Slavery, from the series The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.