The Underground Railroad is thought to of begun around the late 18th century. The Underground Railroad was actually not underground nor was it a railroad. It was a vast network of people helping convict slaves escape to the “promise land,” or Canada. Consisting of many individuals, some whites but predominately black, aided these slaves through the networks (history.com).
George Washington, a slave owner, complained that one of his runaway slaves was helped by a “society of Quakers, formed for such purposes.” This system of individuals helping fugitive slaves became more popular, and in 1831 received the name, “The Underground Railroad.” At this time, the steam railroad was emerging. These consisted of steam powered locomotives hauling unpowered …show more content…
Not only did they have to worry about starvation and capture, they also had to worry about animals in their surroundings wanting to kill them. Also, they had to cross treacherous terrain and survive severe temperatures. If captured, slaves were often beaten, put in prison, or sold off to another cruel slave owner (eiu.edu).
However, if they were not captured and successfully made it to the North, they were still in danger in the North. Due to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, capturing and searching for fugitive slaves were allowed and encouraged. This was allowed because fugitive slaves were seen as belongings, rather than abused and neglected human beings. The Fugitive Slave Act also banned the assisting of runaway slaves. Slaves were only free if they reached Canada. Some runaway slaves didn’t even travel north, but took routes toward Mexico and the Caribbean (eiu.edu).
It is said that many secret signs and symbols were used to help navigate slaves to the north. Word has it that music, quilts, and other little things were clues for the Underground Railroad. Without these secrets, the slave and conductors could not have reached their final …show more content…
Harriet Tubman, a slave born in Cambridge, Maryland, is considered one of the most well-known Underground Railroad conductors. After successfully escaping herself, she returned to Maryland numerous times to help family members, friends, and other slaves to The Promise Land. She was familiar with many routes through woods and fields, having to know them because they had to travel at night. Escaping slaves had to travel at night because there were less people outside and working and moving from place to place. With the help of the North Star, Tubman would guide herself and the escaping slave northward. She would carry weapons with her to defend herself and her followers in dire situations. Harriet Tubman is too said to have led several hundred of fugitive slaves to freedom. It is also said that she never once lost a single follower
George Washington, a slave owner, complained that one of his runaway slaves was helped by a “society of Quakers, formed for such purposes.” This system of individuals helping fugitive slaves became more popular, and in 1831 received the name, “The Underground Railroad.” At this time, the steam railroad was emerging. These consisted of steam powered locomotives hauling unpowered …show more content…
Not only did they have to worry about starvation and capture, they also had to worry about animals in their surroundings wanting to kill them. Also, they had to cross treacherous terrain and survive severe temperatures. If captured, slaves were often beaten, put in prison, or sold off to another cruel slave owner (eiu.edu).
However, if they were not captured and successfully made it to the North, they were still in danger in the North. Due to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, capturing and searching for fugitive slaves were allowed and encouraged. This was allowed because fugitive slaves were seen as belongings, rather than abused and neglected human beings. The Fugitive Slave Act also banned the assisting of runaway slaves. Slaves were only free if they reached Canada. Some runaway slaves didn’t even travel north, but took routes toward Mexico and the Caribbean (eiu.edu).
It is said that many secret signs and symbols were used to help navigate slaves to the north. Word has it that music, quilts, and other little things were clues for the Underground Railroad. Without these secrets, the slave and conductors could not have reached their final …show more content…
Harriet Tubman, a slave born in Cambridge, Maryland, is considered one of the most well-known Underground Railroad conductors. After successfully escaping herself, she returned to Maryland numerous times to help family members, friends, and other slaves to The Promise Land. She was familiar with many routes through woods and fields, having to know them because they had to travel at night. Escaping slaves had to travel at night because there were less people outside and working and moving from place to place. With the help of the North Star, Tubman would guide herself and the escaping slave northward. She would carry weapons with her to defend herself and her followers in dire situations. Harriet Tubman is too said to have led several hundred of fugitive slaves to freedom. It is also said that she never once lost a single follower