Escaping Slavery

Fighting Back Acted out with force:

Lead Revolts Burned Crops Poisoned Their

Masters

Fought Back in Subtle Ways: Quietly Damaged

Property Took Goods From

Owners

Reward Posters Some slaves fought

against slavery by trying to escape

Owners offered HUGE rewards for the return of their slaves

Most runaways were captured and returned to their owners

Faced harsh punishment upon their return

Pathway to Freedom

Thousands fled North where they got help along the Underground Railroad

Not a real railroad, but a

secret network of people, places and routes

Led slaves to freedom in

large cities and black communities.

Dangers

Crossed Rivers Hiked through

mountains Traversed through

swamps Bounty Hunters Runaway slaves had

to travel at night Some stowed away

on boats, trains or wagons.

Assistance Free Blacks or Escaped

Slaves helped slaves reach the North

Sympathetic Whites also helped

Many kept their involvement in the Underground Railroad a secret.

Harriet Tubman An escaped slave

Returned to the South 19 times to help return others to freedom

Video

Key Terms Stationmasters:

Hid runaway slaves in their homes

Conductors: Guided or transported slaves to the next

safehouse

Stockholders: Gave money, food or clothes to fugitive

slaves

Fugitive Slave Law Law that required people

to return any runaway slaves

Anyone who was helping a runaway slave could be made to pay $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in prison

Made it easier for slave catchers to capture runaway slaves in the North

Video

Significance 100,000 slaves escaped thanks

to the Underground Railroad

Opened the eyes of those in the North

Enraged Southerners who believed owning slaves was their right.

Continued until the end of the Civil War in 1865.

Discussion Questions

1. If you were a fugitive slave, what dangers might you expect to face?

2. What kinds of people helped the runaway slaves?

3. Why was the Underground Railroad important?