Underground Railroad

Start of Slavery Slavery first started in the United States around Slavery first started in the United States around 1619 as well as the use of indentured servants to increase the labor base in the Southern colonies. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 prohibited slavery in the Interior/Central States. The importation of slaves into the United The importation of slaves into the United States was banned in 1800, but did not ban the internal slave did not ban the internal slavetrade

A Harsh Life Cotton picking was back breaking work Cotton picking was back breaking work -Living conditions were terrible & punishment were cruel -Families were separated 2) Slaves were treated as property, not people

North’s Feelings on Slavery -slavery not important to the economy of the Northern States why because Industry didn’t need them By the 1800’s many states were against slavery. The North (north of Ohio River and Mason-Dixon line) was one continuous area that was anti-slavery. By the 1800’s many states were against slavery. The North (north of Ohio River and Mason-Dixon line) was one continuous area that was anti-slavery. The first 2 state prohibited slavery were: Massachusetts & Vermont This separation of a free North and an enslaved South launched a massive political, cultural and economic struggle. This separation of a free North and an enslaved South launched a massive political, cultural and economic struggle.

Color in the areas of free and slave state and include the Mason-Dixon Line

The Southern economy was based on: Agriculture -The invention of the Cotton gin (1794) sped up the cleaning process, making slavery more profitable and popular and more plantations started out West. -Slavery was costly to the cotton farmers because it was a very labor intensive process to grow and clean the cotton seeds

Impact of Increased Productivity Southern Plantation owners made a lot more money than the industrialized Northern workers Did you know that in 1850 Did you know that in 1850 most of the nation’s millionaires lived in the South How could the increased cotton production impact the northern states? How could the increased cotton production impact the northern states? More cotton was available to be made into fabric in the factories

Working Towards Change Abolitionists & Vigilance committees organized in the early to mid 1800’s to care and protect escaping slave Abolitionists & Vigilance committees organized in the early to mid 1800’s to care and protect escaping slave Who were some of the abolitionists? Who were some of the abolitionists? William Garrison Fredrick Douglass John Brown

What do you think of when you hear the words Underground Railroad? True or False: the underground railroad was a real railroad True or False: the underground railroad was a real railroad FALSE! -Even though the UGRR had “conductors” and “stations” there were no physical engines, stations, or rail cars. -It was a loose system of people helping escaped slaves reach freedom.

Why did the Underground Rail Road (UGRR) start? Why did the Underground Rail Road (UGRR) start? Abolitionists (people against slavery) wanted to help assist slaves to freedom Abolitionists (people against slavery) wanted to help assist slaves to freedom Who helped escaped slaves on the UGRR? Who helped escaped slaves on the UGRR? Everyday people who did not believe in slavery Not many records were kept about the UGRR. Not many records were kept about the UGRR. Why do you think this? It was dangerous for all the people involved so secrecy was needed for safety reasons

Secrecy The use of songs filled with code words helped spread the word of the Underground Railroad without revealing plans. The use of songs filled with code words helped spread the word of the Underground Railroad without revealing plans. Many slaves couldn’t write or read, so this was not a good method to spread news of the UGRR Many slaves couldn’t write or read, so this was not a good method to spread news of the UGRR One of these songs is called Follow the Drinking Gourd When the sun comes back and the first quail calls, Follow the drinking gourd. For the old man is awaiting for to carry you to freedom, If you follow the drinking gourd. Do you know where the song tells you to go?

Cracking the Code of the UGRR Conductor (old man)- people escorting slaves on the UGRR Conductor (old man)- people escorting slaves on the UGRR Station- place of safety and temporary refuge Station- place of safety and temporary refuge Drinking Gourd: Big Dipper and the North star Drinking Gourd: Big Dipper and the North star Freedom train or Gospel train: Underground Railroad Freedom train or Gospel train: Underground Railroad Heaven or Promised land: Canada Heaven or Promised land: Canada Station Master: keeper of safe-house Station Master: keeper of safe-house Stockholder: donor of $, clothing, or food to the UGRR Stockholder: donor of $, clothing, or food to the UGRR “The wind blows from the south today”: warning of slave bounty hunters nearby “The wind blows from the south today”: warning of slave bounty hunters nearby “A friend with friends” A password used to signal arrival of fugitives with UGRR conductor “A friend with friends” A password used to signal arrival of fugitives with UGRR conductor Load of Potatoes, Parcel, or Bundles of Wood- fugitives to be expected Load of Potatoes, Parcel, or Bundles of Wood- fugitives to be expected

Follow the Drinking Gourd Can you crack the code? Can you crack the code? Does knowing some of the UGRR language give you a better idea of what this song means? Does knowing some of the UGRR language give you a better idea of what this song means? In groups look at the lyrics provided and listen to the song In groups look at the lyrics provided and listen to the song Hint: Quails are around in winter at this time

Painting of conductors helping slaves escape

Routes to Freedom Many slaves who lived in the more deep South area escaped to Cuba, Jamaica, and Mexico. Many slaves who lived in the more deep South area escaped to Cuba, Jamaica, and Mexico. Those closer to the North traveled to free states and later Canada Those closer to the North traveled to free states and later Canada

Most slaves didn’t have specific destinations just anywhere they could live in peace.

What do you notice about the routes slaves took? - North direction - Followed rivers or mountains Why was Ohio a good location to go through? - Close to Canada, rivers, mountains - Many slave states nearby

Ohio and the UGRR  Locations in Ohio of known stations (13) Many slaves were hidden in houses or barns A lit up hitching post would sometimes be a symbol for a station

Appearances Can Be Deceiving -Runaway slaves would hide in hidden compartments in houses to remain undetected

Fugitive Slave Act This act was passed in 1850 and permitted the capture and return of escaped slaves found in free states. It also charged heavy fines & punishment for those found helping slaves escape. This act was passed in 1850 and permitted the capture and return of escaped slaves found in free states. It also charged heavy fines & punishment for those found helping slaves escape. IMPACT: Staying in the US was more dangerous for those helping and punishments more severe for those trying to escape so slaves had travel further North to Canada. IMPACT: Staying in the US was more dangerous for those helping and punishments more severe for those trying to escape so slaves had travel further North to Canada. In 1833 a bill that ended slavery in Canada was passed. This meant any slaves became free when they came to Canada. In 1833 a bill that ended slavery in Canada was passed. This meant any slaves became free when they came to Canada. Over 40,000 slaves fled to Canada

We know where the UGRR was located now let’s find out how slaves escaped to freedom. Decisions – Answer on your own Decisions – Answer on your own What do you think is the best way to travel with out being detected? What do you think is the best way to travel with out being detected? When would you go? When would you go? What would you bring/plan to eat? What would you bring/plan to eat?

Directions to Freedom Most slaves had never been off their plantations or slave homes Most slaves had never been off their plantations or slave homes How did they know how to get to the North? By a bit of Astronomy: The North Star-Polaris Which is located in what constellation? what constellation?

Ways to Escape # 1 Foot # 1 Foot #2 catching a ride #2 catching a ride Boat Boat Wagon/carriage Wagon/carriage Boxes, coffins, sacks that were shipped North Boxes, coffins, sacks that were shipped North It was dangerous to travel on foot, bounty hunters were everywhere and stations were not. Even though it was dangerous, thousands of fugitives made it to Canada both on foot and catching a ride. It was dangerous to travel on foot, bounty hunters were everywhere and stations were not. Even though it was dangerous, thousands of fugitives made it to Canada both on foot and catching a ride.

The slaves usually ran away on Christmas time when their masters would be at parties. The slaves usually ran away on Christmas time when their masters would be at parties. Times to Escape Season Positive Negative Summer - Warm weather - food easy to find -easier to get caught - hot -difficult to cross rivers. Winter - Frozen rivers easy to cross -less likely to get caught by bounty hunters - cold! - not enough clothing. -not enough food

Important People President of the Underground Railroad President of the Underground Railroad Levi Coffin Levi Coffin In 1849, Harriet Tubman known as "Moses" to her people made 19 trips to the South and helped at least 300 fellow slaves escape to freedom. In 1849, Harriet Tubman known as "Moses" to her people made 19 trips to the South and helped at least 300 fellow slaves escape to freedom.

Secret Messages Songs, stories, and word of mouth were not the only way messages about the UGRR were spread Songs, stories, and word of mouth were not the only way messages about the UGRR were spread -Quilts also helped give directions to the promised land Where/how do you think the message was written?

Name that Pattern to Get a Clue -Church was a safe house (wedding ring pattern) -Follow the North Star (star pattern) -Trail marked with set symbols (bear paw pattern)