Question

select the correct answer.
how did the compromise of 1850 harm african americans?
a. it forced the closure of the underground railroad.
b. it allowed california to join the union as a free state
c. it required all african americans to be enslaved.
d. it required every state to return those who escaped slavery.

Explanation:

The Compromise of 1850 included a Fugitive Slave Act. This act required that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, even if they were in free states. This harmed African - Americans as it made it more difficult for them to escape slavery and live freely.

• Option A: The Underground Railroad was not forced to close by the Compromise of 1850. It continued to operate in various forms.
• Option B: California joining as a free state was a positive for the anti - slavery cause in terms of the balance of free and slave states in Congress (though it didn't directly help African - Americans in a broad sense, but it was not a harm).
• Option C: The Compromise of 1850 did not require all African - Americans to be enslaved. There were free African - Americans before and after the Compromise.

Answer:

D. It required every state to return those who escaped slavery.