(Shmoop Editorial Team, 2008) This law stopped anyone from assisting a slave. It stated that anyone who helped one would be punished severely. Also it allowed for any slave, no matter where in the country they were, could be returned to their master. If this law was never passed, many slaves would of been able to be free as soon as they escaped. Also without this, there would've not been so much hate between the slavery supporters and the antislavery