Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad

Not an actual railroad

Secret route followed by slaves to freedom

From south to north and Canada

Harriet TubmanFled slavery at age 29

Known as “Moses” for leading others to freedom

Returned 19 times to lead 300 slaves to freedom

Hiding Places

Stayed at safe houses, swamps, barns, and other hiding places along the way

Travel

Traveled by walking, boat, wagon

Often traveled at night

Followed the “Drinking gourd” (North Star)

Secrecy

Hid in barrels, boxes, wagons

Dressed in disguise

Fugitive Slave Act 1850

Required runaway slaves be returned

Penalties for anyone helping runaways

Quilts

Hung outside a house to signal that it was a safe place for runaways to stay

Conflict

Underground Railroad aggravated southern slave owners

Added to conflict between north and south

Freedom

Thousands of slaves made their way to freedom between 1810-1850

Although free, they still faced discrimination