THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

THE UNDERGROUND

RAILROAD

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was a secret network of people who helped runaway slaves escape to freedom


Slaves traveled this path to Canada to attain freedom.


• Abolitionists helped the slaves escape There were blacks and whites, women and men, Northerners and Southerners; all who thought slavery was wrong.

The Underground RailroadSlaves stayed in special hiding places in the

South and North called “safe houses” or “stations”


• Some stations had white bricks on the top of their chimney

• Others would place a lantern outside the house.


• Conductors would lead the fugitives along the Underground Railroad from station to station.


• As a conductor, Harriet Tubman helped thousands of slaves escape

• Her nickname was "Moses" because she helped free so many slaves.


• There were lots of “wanted” poster for slaves

• Harriet Tubman was the “most wanted” slave. The reward for her was $15,000



• Slaves used code words and phrases to secretly discuss heading for the North without tipping off their owners.

Station - place of safety

"The wind blows from the south today" -the warning of slave bounty hunters nearby


• Slaves sang spirituals - they had hidden messages that only the slaves understood


“Follow the Drinking Gourd”At the end of the "drinking gourd“ (the big

dipper) was the north star. And the path of the north star was the path to freedom.

http://www.contemplator.com/america/gourd.html

http://www.contemplator.com/america/gourd.html

Documents

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD