The phenomenon of runaway slaves seeking freedom is as old as the institution of slavery itself. In the history of slavery in the United States, fugitive slaves were the slaves who escaped from their owner and traveled without authorization; in general, they tried to reach states or territories in which slavery was prohibited, including Canada. Most laws regarding slavery tried to control slave travel by forcing them to carry official safe conduct passes if they traveled without an owner.
The approval of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 increased the penalties against fugitive slaves and the people who helped them. Because of this, fugitive slaves tried to leave the United States in general, traveling to Canada or Mexico. During the time that slavery was legal in the United States, approximately 100,000 slaves escaped to freedom.
