The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was actually an above-ground series of escape routes for slaves traveling from the South to the North trying to gain their freedom. The Underground Railroad was actually an above-ground series of escape routes for slaves traveling from the South to the North trying to gain their freedom. Slaves traveled by foot, wagons, and boats. It was not a real railroad! Slaves traveled by foot, wagons, and boats. It was not a real railroad! Slave runaways would usually travel by the light of night and hide during the day in places known as stations. These were safe houses owned by abolitionists. Slave runaways would usually travel by the light of night and hide during the day in places known as stations. These were safe houses owned by abolitionists.

Abolitionist Abolition-The movement to end slavery Slaves would hide in various places. Abolitionist – a person who believed and worked for the ending of slavery.

Henry Box Brown

Henry Brown convinced Samuel A. Smith to pack him in a box and ship him to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Henry Brown convinced Samuel A. Smith to pack him in a box and ship him to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Henry Box Brown’s trip to Philadelphia was grueling, in tight quarters. Henry Box Brown’s trip to Philadelphia was grueling, in tight quarters. Brown was set free in Philadelphia and eventually made his way to Boston, where he helped fellow escapees on the Underground Railroad. Brown was set free in Philadelphia and eventually made his way to Boston, where he helped fellow escapees on the Underground Railroad.

Would you take the risk??? If the slaves were caught, they were sold or beaten with a whip; sometimes they were lynched.

Conductors Conductors were the people who led the runaways to freedom. Conductors were the people who led the runaways to freedom.

Harriett Tubman

Harriet Tubman was born a slave in Maryland. When she learned that her owner was going to sell her, she decided to escape. Tubman made 19 journeys from the South to the North as a Conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman Southern Plantation owners offered $40,000 for the capture of Harriet Tubman. Plantation Owners also offered rewards for the return of runaway slaves.

Susan B. Anthony Fought for women’s suffrage in the 20 th Century Fought for women’s suffrage in the 20 th Century She worked for temperance and anti- slavery movements She worked for temperance and anti- slavery movements

Jonathan Walker Jonathan Walker became a national hero in 1844 when he was tried and sentenced as a slave stealer following an attempt to assist seven runaway slaves find freedom. He was branded on the right hand with the letters SS signifying "Slave Stealer".

Josiah Henson Josiah Henson was one of the first slaves to write his memoirs after escaping to freedom. Josiah Henson was one of the first slaves to write his memoirs after escaping to freedom. Harriet Beecher Stowe acknowledged that Henson's writings were the inspiration for her 1852 novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe acknowledged that Henson's writings were the inspiration for her 1852 novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin

Routes to Freedom

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Spirituals

Songs Songs like “Wade in the Water”, “The Gospel Train” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” directly refer to the Underground Railroad. Songs like “Wade in the Water”, “The Gospel Train” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” directly refer to the Underground Railroad. Spirituals gradually evolved to serve a variety of purposes in the fight for freedom: Spirituals gradually evolved to serve a variety of purposes in the fight for freedom: 1) Singing as an expression of values 2) Singing as a source of inspiration or motivation 3) Singing as an expression of protest 4) Singing as a communication tool

Quilts During the time of the Underground Railroad fugitive slaves would use quilts as a means of communication. During the time of the Underground Railroad fugitive slaves would use quilts as a means of communication. Quilts were used by conductors to help fugitive slaves flee the South and arrive safely in the North. Quilts were used by conductors to help fugitive slaves flee the South and arrive safely in the North.

Quilt Usage in the Underground Railroad This Quilt represented the NORTH STAR This Quilt represented the NORTH STAR

Quilts This quilt was the symbol for the wagon wheel

Quilts This Quilt symbolized a log cabin This Quilt symbolized a log cabin

Quilts This quilt symbolized a crossroads

The Underground Railroad