Riding the Underground Railroad Riding the Underground Railroad Journey back in time.

What was the Underground Railroad? It was not a subway or any other type of train that ran underground. The UGRR was a cooperative effort of enslaved Africans who badly wanted freedom. The UGRR operated without formal organization.

Why was it called an “Underground Railroad?” The Underground Railroad was called a 'railroad' because there were multiple stops along the way for slaves to get food, clothes, and other supplies. The Underground Railroad was called a 'railroad' because there were multiple stops along the way for slaves to get food, clothes, and other supplies. It was called the 'underground' railroad because it was a mostly secret operation to get slaves from the South to the North and to Canada It was called the 'underground' railroad because it was a mostly secret operation to get slaves from the South to the North and to Canada

What railroad terms were used? A “passenger” - an escaping slave A “passenger” - an escaping slave “Stations” were stopping places what a fugitive could go to sleep, eat, and receive medical care “Stations” were stopping places what a fugitive could go to sleep, eat, and receive medical care A “coach” or “train” was the code name for any mode of transportation A “coach” or “train” was the code name for any mode of transportation A “conductor” - the person who took passengers from one station to another A “conductor” - the person who took passengers from one station to another

Who operated the UGRR stations? People who were against slavery were called Abolitionists People who were against slavery were called Abolitionists White, black, and Native Americans all helped runaways escape White, black, and Native Americans all helped runaways escape Many religious groups such as the Quakers!! Many religious groups such as the Quakers!!

Why Try to Capture a Runaway? Slaves were highly valuable on the large southern cotton plantations Their masters were dependent on a large amount of slave labor and were usually controlling and vigilant. The African slave trade was banned in 1808, increasing the value of each individual slave, Now owners became even more possessive of their slaves, and punishments for attempts to escape were extremely harsh.

What were the risks? What were the risks? The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allowed runaways to be recapture and sent back to their masters The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allowed runaways to be recapture and sent back to their masters People who helped runaways would be heavily fined and/or imprisoned People who helped runaways would be heavily fined and/or imprisoned It was not uncommon to enslave a “Free” African American It was not uncommon to enslave a “Free” African American

The Most Famous Conductor Harriet Tubman helped hundreds of slaves escape Harriet Tubman helped hundreds of slaves escape She risked her own freedom 19 times to help others She risked her own freedom 19 times to help others She was never caught and died in New York at age 93 She was never caught and died in New York at age 93

Why Canada? Life was better in Canada Life was better in Canada Slaves could work AND be paid for their labor Slaves could work AND be paid for their labor Could get married Could get married Could LEGALLY learn how to read, write, and be educated Could LEGALLY learn how to read, write, and be educated

Methods of Escape Passed by word-of-mouth, in stories, and through songs Passed by word-of-mouth, in stories, and through songs Guided by the stars Guided by the stars Follow the Drinking Gourd was code for the Big Dipper Follow the Drinking Gourd was code for the Big Dipper Traveled mainly at night and on foot Traveled mainly at night and on foot Used the protected of nature- swamps, forests, and waterways Used the protected of nature- swamps, forests, and waterways Would rub red onion or spruce pine on themselves to throw off the scent of the dogs Would rub red onion or spruce pine on themselves to throw off the scent of the dogs

Which way is North? The sun rises in the East and sets in the West Your shadow is on your right in the morning and your left in the afternoon Moss grows on the north side of trees Rivers usually flow south

Slaves in the Deep South Very few managed to escape the Deep South. Since they were far away from the free states, the slaves had little information about the kind of life they could have as free people. Also, they knew less about the Underground Railroad than slaves in the border states. If slaves managed to escape from the Deep South, they usually ran to Spanish-controlled Florida or Mexico, rather than to the North, which would have been a much longer journey.

Answer the Following: What significance did the Underground Railroad have besides helping slaves escape? What significance did the Underground Railroad have besides helping slaves escape? 3 Sentences Minimum 3 Sentences Minimum If you were a slave, would you risk your life and travel on the Underground Railroad? Explain why or why not. 4 Sentences Minimum

The End!