Underground Railroad Escaping Slavery

Essential Questions Why would people put themselves at risk to help others? When is it alright to challenge established laws? How could you go about changing a law or policy you thought was wrong or immoral?

Underground Railroad Network of escape routes slaves followed to freedom in the North or Canada. The fugitive slaves were helped by whites, free African Americans and other fugitive slaves. The Underground Railroad was NOT under the ground and there were NO trains.

Abolitionists The abolitionists that helped guide slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad were often called “conductors”. Some of these “conductors” were Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison and William Still.

Reaching Freedom In earlier years slaves were safe once they reached a northern (free) state. After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, slaves had to leave the U.S. and go to Canada to avoid being captured and returned to slavery.

Finding Their Way Fugitive slaves usually had to travel at night to avoid being seen. They would use the North Star and Big Dipper to guide them toward the North. The fugitive slaves sung songs like “Follow the Drinking Gourd”, which gave them clues about how to find their way north.

Safe houses During the day, escaping slaves would hide out in safe houses owned by abolitionists. The fugitives would be able to rest and be given food before continuing their journey. The abolitionists risked going to prison or paying fines for helping fugitive slaves.

Harriet Tubman Tubman is the most well-known conductor of the Underground Railroad. Born a slave in Maryland around 1820, she escaped in 1849. She returned to the South 19 times to help over 300 slaves escape to freedom. A reward of $40,000 was offered for her capture. During the Civil War she worked as a Union cook, nurse and spy.



How much does freedom mean to you? Enduring Understandings: People have an innate desire and a responsibility to challenge laws, policies and conditions in society that they think are immoral. Freedom is a basic right of all people.