Why did some northerners support personal liberty laws? the fugitive slave act paid judges more if they ruled against slave owners. they resented federal intervention in the affairs of independent states. the “christiana riot” showed that slave owners would violently resist the law. they believed runaway slaves should be returned to their owners in the south.

The correct answer is B) They resented federal intervention in the affairs of independent states.

Some northerners supported personal liberty laws because they resented federal intervention in the affairs of independent states.

Before the Civil War, governments of the northern states passed the liberty laws to protect African American slaves that escaped from southern plantations. Many slaves went to the North to hide and settle there. The personal liberty laws served to counteract the Fugitive Slave Acts. These laws also provided jury trial in case people needed it.

b. 155 enlisted men and no officers