The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was a railroad train

that carried escaped slaves to freedom on an underground route. True or False

The Underground Railroad operated only in the Southern states. True or False

There was only one route North to freedom on the Underground Railroad. True or False

Runaway slaves often traveled at night and hid during the day. True or False

Only white people helped runaway slaves on their journey to freedom. True or False

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The Underground Railroad was a network of

people who helped escaped slaves travel North to freedom during the 1800’s. These people provided runaway slaves with places to stay,

food, transportation, and safety on their journey to freedom.

Why was it called the Underground Railroad? The term “underground” was used because these activities were illegal and had to be kept a secret. “Railroad” was used because a series of transportation events took place in order to help slaves seek freedom.

What was the Underground

Railroad

It is estimated that anywhere from 25,000 to as many as

100,000 slaves escaped to freedom on the Underground Railroad between 1800 and 1865.

It operated mainly in free Northern states. This meant that the slaves who escaped from the South had no help until they reached the protection of the Underground Railroad.

Runaway slaves often traveled by night through swamps and rivers. The people who ran the Underground Railroad provided hiding places and resources until it was safe to travel to the next location.

BOTH white and black people helped fugitive slaves seek freedom.

About the Underground Railroad

UGRR Terms

Abolitionist: A person who supported the abolition of slavery in the U.S.

Baggage or Passengers: Runaway slaves transported by the UGRR workers

Conductor: A person who directly transported slaves.

Emancipate: To be freed from slavery.

Fugitives: Runaway slaves.

Station: A place of safety on the UGRR; a safe house.

Station Master: The owner of the safe house.

Stockholder: People who donated money, food, clothes, and goods to the Underground Railroad cause.

The Routes

The Underground Railroad reached its peak after the

passing of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. This Act gave power to slave owners and slave catchers, even in the free

states and territories. The Act allowed slave catchers to recapture escaped

slaves and return them to their owner without a trial. Even if slaves had papers showing they were free, slave catchers could rip them up and send them back south.

The Act also enforced punishment on those who helped slaves. These people faced prison time, and fines of up to $1,000.

Slaves made their way to Canada, and even Mexico and the Caribbean, because the Act wouldn’t affect them there.

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

If fugitive slaves were caught by slave catchers, they were often returned to slavery and severely

punished. The punishments included harsh whippings, beatings, and sadly even death.

Risks

The Underground Railroad was the first

organized rebellion against the federal law in the United States. People worked together, no

matter the color of their skin, to end slavery once and for all. Everyone involved risked their lives helping one another for a cause they all

believed in.

An Important Piece of History

http://www.harriet-tubman.org/underground-ra

ilroad-secret-codes/

http://www.harriet-tubman.org/interesting-facts-about-the-underground-railroad/

http://media.education.nationalgeographic.com/assets/file/Underground_Railroad_Educator_Guide_1.pdf

Sources