1. HARRIET TUBMAN Conductor of the Underground Railroad

2. Slavery in the United States
Slavery of African Americans in the United States began as early as 1500, when the first African Slaves were brought to the New World by the Spanish.

3. “Abolitionist” Movement
Abolitionist: Anyone who was against slavery
Abolitionists included many kinds of people: whites and blacks, men and women, rich and poor, religious and non religious.

4. The desire to be free….
Ever since slaves were captured, they have always tried to escape.
The rise of the Abolitionist Movement made escape easier.

5. Harriet Tubman …
Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross. She was born into slavery in 1821 in Dorchester County, Maryland.
Harriet was one of 11 children. All of Harriet’s brothers and sisters, as well as their parents, were slaves on a Maryland Plantation.

6. Harriet’s Early Years…
Harriet began work at age six.
Harriet was a poor housekeeper, so she was sent to work outside in the fields.
At age seven, Harriet tried to escape. Harriet became tired and hungry and returned to the plantation shortly after her escape.

7. Harriet’s Escape In 1844, Harriet made the decision to escape.
Harriet’s journey took her to the house of a trusted friend where she was given information about the next safe stop.
By moving from safe house to safe house, Harriet made her way north to freedom.

8. By 1861, the issue of slavery divided the entire nation
By 1861, the issue of slavery divided the entire nation. The Civil War had begun.

9. The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a secret network of people who helped runaway slaves escape to freedom.

10. The Underground Railroad
Slaves traveled this path to Canada to attain freedom.

11. The Underground Railroad
Abolitionists helped the slaves escape. There were blacks and whites, women and men, Northerners and Southerners; all who thought slavery was wrong.

12. The Underground Railroad
Slaves stayed in special hiding places in the South and North called “safe houses” or “stations”.

13. The Underground Railroad
Some stations had white bricks on the top of their chimney.
Others would place a lantern outside the house.

14. The Underground Railroad
Conductors would lead the fugitives along the Underground Railroad from station to station.

15. The Underground Railroad
As a conductor, Harriet Tubman helped thousands of slaves escape.
Her nickname was "Moses" because she helped free so many slaves.

16. The Underground Railroad
There were lots of “wanted” posters for slaves.
Harriet Tubman was the “most wanted” slave. The reward for her capture was $15,000.

17. The Underground Railroad

18. The Underground Railroad
Slaves used code words and phrases to secretly discuss heading for the North without tipping off their owners.
Vocabulary:
“Station” - place of safety
"The wind blows from the south today" –a warning of slave bounty hunters nearby

19. The Underground Railroad
Slaves sang spirituals - they had hidden messages that only the slaves understood.

20. The Underground Railroad
“Follow the Drinking Gourd”
At the end of the "drinking gourd“ (The Big Dipper) was the North Star. And the path of the North Star was the path to freedom.