1. Escaping Slavery

2. Fighting Back Acted out with force: Fought Back in Subtle Ways:
Lead Revolts
Burned Crops
Poisoned Their Masters
Fought Back in Subtle Ways:
Quietly Damaged Property
Took Goods From Owners

3. Reward Posters Some slaves fought against slavery by trying to escape
Owners offered HUGE rewards for the return of their slaves
Most runaways were captured and returned to their owners
Faced harsh punishment upon their return

4. Pathway to Freedom
Thousands fled North where they got help along the Underground Railroad
Not a real railroad, but a secret network of people, places and routes
Led slaves to freedom in large cities and black communities.

6. Dangers Crossed Rivers Hiked through mountains
Traversed through swamps
Bounty Hunters
Runaway slaves had to travel at night
Some stowed away on boats, trains or wagons.

7. Assistance Free Blacks or Escaped Slaves helped slaves reach the North
Sympathetic Whites also helped
Many kept their involvement in the Underground Railroad a secret.

8. Harriet Tubman An escaped slave
Returned to the South 19 times to help return others to freedom
Video

9. Key Terms Stationmasters: Hid runaway slaves in their homes
Conductors:
Guided or transported slaves to the next safehouse
Stockholders:
Gave money, food or clothes to fugitive slaves

10. Fugitive Slave Law
Law that required people to return any runaway slaves
Anyone who was helping a runaway slave could be made to pay $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in prison
Made it easier for slave catchers to capture runaway slaves in the North
Video

11. Significance 100,000 slaves escaped thanks to the Underground Railroad
Opened the eyes of those in the North
Enraged Southerners who believed owning slaves was their right.
Continued until the end of the Civil War in 1865.

12. Discussion Questions
If you were a fugitive slave, what dangers might you expect to face?
What kinds of people helped the runaway slaves?
Why was the Underground Railroad important?