Escaping Slavery
description
Transcript of Escaping Slavery
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?