The Underground Railroad (1820-1861)
This represents: The struggle, The Strength and the dedication of the black slaves.
Number one individual involved: Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. she is Known as the “Moses of her people,” Harriet also served as a scout, spy, guerrilla soldier, and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. SHE OFTEN DRUGGED BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN TO PREVENT SLAVE CATCHERS FROM HEARING THEIR CRIES.She is among the most inspirational women of history. One of a kind is a phrase that could be used to describe her. She represents dedication, strength and strive. Personally I believe that the word hero explains exactly who she is. |
More on Harriet: Background information.
She was born in Dorchester County, Maryland, unfortunately died on March 10, 1913 at 87 years old from pneumonia. Her full name is Araminta Ross but the name she goes by now which means "home ruler" originated from her mother Harriet Greene Ross and her last name "Tubman" was from her second husband John Tubman. Harriet had eight brothers and sisters; four girls and four boys. With her parents separated, Tubman's mother struggled to keep her family together, and three of Tubman's sisters were sold to other plantation owners. Tubman's owners, the Brodess family, “loaned” her out to work for others while she was still a child, under what were often miserable, dangerous conditions. Tubman experience a treacherous lifestyle but still managed to make a change in the world for the better. |
There were many well-used routes stretching west through Ohio to Indiana and Iowa. Others headed north through Pennsylvania and into New England or through Detroit on their way to Canada. Underground Railroad routes went north to free states and Canada, to the Caribbean, into United States western territories, and Indian territories. Some freedom seekers (escaped slaves) travelled South into Mexico for their freedom.
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