Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad Not an actual railroad Secret route followed by slaves to freedom From south to north and Canada
Harriet Tubman Fled slavery at age 29 Known as “Moses” for leading others to freedom Returned 19 times to lead 300 slaves to freedom
Hiding Places Stayed at safe houses, swamps, barns, and other hiding places along the way
Travel Traveled by walking, boat, wagon Often traveled at night Followed the “Drinking gourd” (North Star)
Secrecy Hid in barrels, boxes, wagons Dressed in disguise
Fugitive Slave Act 1850 Required runaway slaves be returned Penalties for anyone helping runaways
Quilts Hung outside a house to signal that it was a safe place for runaways to stay
Conflict Underground Railroad aggravated southern slave owners Added to conflict between north and south
Freedom Thousands of slaves made their way to freedom between 1810-1850 Although free, they still faced discrimination