The Underground Railroad was a passageway to freedom for those enslaved during the 19th century. The Underground Railroad was a system of secret escape routes and safe houses to help African slaves in the U.S escape from Southern plantations. These routes went through 14 Northern states and two Canadian provinces, and some led to Mexico or overseas. Canada was a desired destination because Canada's long border allowed many points of access. The railroad was a success due to the help of abolitionists, and other allies/supporters. Many people who helped were “Quakers,” or “Methodists.” Approximately, 100,000 slaves were able to escape through the railroad by 1850. 1850-1860 were the years that the railroad had reached its peak, especially after
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It was known as underground in the sense of being an underground resistance and known as a railroad because of the use of rail terminology in the code. The railroad was made up of secret routes, transportation, meeting points, safe houses and help from abolitionists. To avoid the risk of getting found, people who helped were organized in small groups to help maintain secrecy. There were multiple stations and safe-houses for slaves to stay and rest in during the day before they started their journey later that night. They moved north along the route from one station to the next. Those escaping had often travelled at night on foot for about 10-20 miles (15-30 km) to get to the next station. Usually, they had to travel on foot or by wagon in groups of 1-3 slaves, and sometimes would be able to travel on boats or trains. Most escapes had to be made in small groups or by individuals to risk being discovered. Stations were located in areas such as barns, under church floors or in hiding places in caves and hollowed out riverbanks. It was very systematic and efficient in helping slaves find their way to …show more content…
For example, Harriet Tubman was a huge help in freeing the slaves. Harriet Tubman had escaped slavery and eventually became an abolitionist and one of the most well known conductors, leading dozens of slaves to freedom. After escaping, she had went back to different plantations multiple times to help others escape. Levi Coffin, another abolitionist and American Quaker, had been a great contribute to the Underground Railroad. He was known as the "President of the Underground Railroad," because of the thousands that he helped escape. In 1826, in Newport, Indiana he realized that he was on one of the routes from the Underground Railroad where slaves could soon start migrating into Canada. Eventually, he had made his house into a depot and transported nearly 3,000 people to their freedom. Josiah Henson, another large contributer to the Underground Railroad. Unfortunately born into being a slave, however, after becoming a preacher for the Methodist Episcopal church, he was able to buy his freedom. After arriving in Canada, he got involved with the Railroad and managed to free over 200 slaves. These are only a few of the many conductors who led thousands and thousands of slaves to their
It was known as underground in the sense of being an underground resistance and known as a railroad because of the use of rail terminology in the code. The railroad was made up of secret routes, transportation, meeting points, safe houses and help from abolitionists. To avoid the risk of getting found, people who helped were organized in small groups to help maintain secrecy. There were multiple stations and safe-houses for slaves to stay and rest in during the day before they started their journey later that night. They moved north along the route from one station to the next. Those escaping had often travelled at night on foot for about 10-20 miles (15-30 km) to get to the next station. Usually, they had to travel on foot or by wagon in groups of 1-3 slaves, and sometimes would be able to travel on boats or trains. Most escapes had to be made in small groups or by individuals to risk being discovered. Stations were located in areas such as barns, under church floors or in hiding places in caves and hollowed out riverbanks. It was very systematic and efficient in helping slaves find their way to …show more content…
For example, Harriet Tubman was a huge help in freeing the slaves. Harriet Tubman had escaped slavery and eventually became an abolitionist and one of the most well known conductors, leading dozens of slaves to freedom. After escaping, she had went back to different plantations multiple times to help others escape. Levi Coffin, another abolitionist and American Quaker, had been a great contribute to the Underground Railroad. He was known as the "President of the Underground Railroad," because of the thousands that he helped escape. In 1826, in Newport, Indiana he realized that he was on one of the routes from the Underground Railroad where slaves could soon start migrating into Canada. Eventually, he had made his house into a depot and transported nearly 3,000 people to their freedom. Josiah Henson, another large contributer to the Underground Railroad. Unfortunately born into being a slave, however, after becoming a preacher for the Methodist Episcopal church, he was able to buy his freedom. After arriving in Canada, he got involved with the Railroad and managed to free over 200 slaves. These are only a few of the many conductors who led thousands and thousands of slaves to their