Hi! I'm Harriet Tubman. I work at the Underground Railroad, which began in 1831. I used to be a slave in Maryland, but I escaped and now I am free.
What was the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad actually had nothing to do with a railroad. It was a series of homes, churches, and schoolhouses on the border states that were willing to provide a refuge to slaves on their journey to freedom.
Phrases & Terms Used
I am on my way to Canada. That and the North are called "The Promised Lands".
Escaping slaves are called "passengers" or "freight".
I'm a "station master" who hides slaves in my home, called a "station".
I'm a guide, so they call me a "conductor".
Source: Underground Railroad, History.com. History.com Editors. February 8, 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad
Important Figures
I'm John Fairfield. I help rescue left-behind slaves who's families are in the Underground Railroad.
I'm John Rankin. I'm a Pre-sbyterian minister, and I've helped over 2000 slaves escape.
Source: Underground Railroad, History.com. History.com Editors. February 8, 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroadAlso taken from class
Destinations/The Fugitive Slave Acts
We have made it to Canada! We decided to go to Canada instead of the Northern States because of the Fugitive Slave Acts. This law states that if we are caught in the North, a Northerner must return us to our owners. In Canada, we are free of that law. Some slaves decide to go to Mexico or South America.
Source: Underground Railroad Terminology, pbs.org. Dr. Bryan Walls. https://www.pbs.org/black-culture/shows/list/underground-railroad/stories-freedom/underground-railroad-terminology/
The End of the Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad ended in 1863, during the Civil War. Many slaves were saved from the South and moved to Canada, the North, Mexico, or other places to live a life of peace and freedom.
Source: Underground Railroad, History.com. History.com Editors. February 8, 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroadInfo about John Rankin from class
Source: Underground Railroad, History.com. History.com Editors. February 8, 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroadAlso taken from class
Source: Underground Railroad, History.com. History.com Editors. February 8, 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad