History of the Underground Railroad By Phyllis Sams

History of the Underground Railroad By: Phyllis Sams Forest Acres Elementary November 10, 2001

DID YOU KNOW? • The Underground Railroad was a secret system of houses and people who helped slaves escape to freedom. • Thousands of slaves used the network to escape to the northern states, Canada, Texas, Mexico, and the Caribbean. • The Underground Railroad was mainly used between 1830 to 1860.

Why Did Slaves Want to Escape? • They were forced to work long, hard hours in the field. • They were treated poorly by their owners and often beaten. • The desire to be free was the greatest reason most slaves tried to escape.

Underground Railroad Map

How Did Slaves Escape? • Some slaves hid on wagons. • Some slaves escaped by boats. • Many slaves walked hundreds of miles to reach freedom. • Sometimes slaves used disguises so they wouldn’t be caught.

Underground Railroad Code Words • Stations – homes and businesses where fugitive slaves rested and ate • Station masters – people who ran the stations • Conductors- moved fugitives from one station to the next • Packages/freight – slaves • Stockholders – person who contributed money or goods

Fugitive Slave Law • This law was approved on September 18, 1850. • If accused of escaping slavery, the slaves were returned to their owner and often punished severely. • People who helped slaves escape could be fined $1, 000 and jailed for six months.

Wanted Posters

Underground railroad workers came from all walks of life. • Ministers • Shopkeepers • Farmers • Former slaves

Harriet Tubman • She was one of the greatest conductors of the Underground Railroad. • Harriet led more than 300 slaves to freedom, including her own parents. • She was often called “Moses of her people” for her brave journeys in leading slaves to the promised land.

Slaves often used biblical stories and songs as escape messages. The following song is about Harriet Tubman. Use the word key to figure out its meaning. Go Down Moses, Way down in Egypt’s land, Tell old Pharaoh, let my people go… No more shall they be in bondage toil, Let my people go. Let them come out with Egypt’s spoil, Let my people go. Word Key Moses – Harriet Tubman Pharaoh – Slave Owners Egypt – The South

The Abolition of Slavery • The end of slavery occurred on December 18, 1865. This was when the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. • The amendment stated that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States. ”

Bibliography • www. nyjournalnews. com/blackhistory/purvis. html picture of Harriet Tubman and Robert Purvis • http: //www 2. worldbook. com/students/feature_index. asp history of Underground Railroad • http: //www. nyjournalnews. com/blackhistory/main. html history of Underground Railroad • http: //memory. loc. gov/cgibin/query/D? aaodyssey: 15: . /temp/~ammem_OApl: : @@@mdb=aaody ssey, gmd, mmorse history of Underground Railroad • http: //memory. loc. gov/