U.S. - STARTING THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

by e-Tutor

This lesson will introduce you to a different type of railroad, a railroad created to free people from slavery.

Welcome to the exciting world of the Underground Railroad!

Lesson Problem

What was the Underground Railroad and why is it important?

Vocabulary

Study Guide

Sometimes the laws of a nation can come into conflict with problems of social injustice. This is what took place during the period of history in which the Underground Railroad operated. Some people felt that slavery was wrong and aided slaves in obtaining their freedom. The government had passed laws that protected slavery and did not allow for a slave's escape to freedom. Who were some of these people, what did they believe about slavery and how did they justify breaking the law? You will be able to communicate your knowledge and explain your views about the activities of these people and their conflict with the national laws at the time.

Slavery began in America in 1619. The slaves were forced to endure the horrors of the Middle Passage, slave mistreatment and complete control of their lives by their masters. Slaves had no freedom and were viewed as property that could be bought and sold. Living conditions for slaves were poor on large and small plantations and the slaves seemed to hold out little hope for better times in the future. But the lure of freedom was powerful. Slowly word got around that escape was possible. A slave who reached the free states in the North could hide among free blacks and try to avoid recapture and a return to slavery. If slaves could reach the distant land of Canada, outside the United States, they could obtain true legal freedom.

But the trip was difficult and dangerous and the slaves would need help to make the journey. To help the slaves a network for rescue was growing. A secret network was formed by people who felt that the Fugitive Slave Laws were wrong and that slaves were not property, but people who deserved a right to obtain freedom. These people put themselves at risk for what they believed was right and they defied the law. This network had no "one" leader, no formal organization and did not officially exist. The network was the Underground Railroad. Abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, stationmasters and conductors like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth played major roles in making this train to freedom a legend.

Before taking the quiz, please review the link to the Underground Railroad.

Activities

After reviewing the materials presented about the Underground Railroad answer the following questions, using evidence you gained from your reading:

1. Even though the journey was difficult on the freedom train, what types of mistreatment of slaves caused many to attempt the trip?

2. How did the abolitionists feel about slavery and what efforts did they carry out to deal with it?

3. What role did the conductors play in the Underground Railroad network and what did they have to fear because of their role?

4. Why were people like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth viewed as real heroes for the Underground Railroad?

Extended Learning

Imagine that you lived in 1860 and a family of slaves came to your home late at night and asked for a place to rest until the next day. You think that they might be runaways and could be part of the Underground Railroad. What would you do? Should you help them?

Before you answer think about the following:

1. If they are runaways, what could happen if anyone found out you aided them?

2. What types of hardships had they gone through as slaves?

3. What could you do to help them?

4. Are you willing to break the law to help others?