S and to dispel the myths associated with the underground railroad. Just like a train on the tracks, traveling from station to station, the underground railroad represented the continuous movement of the escaping slave traveling to freedom. Its objective termini were canada and freedom, and its trade was derived from the slave plantations of the south, its patrons were people of color, and its promoters and managers had their headquarters in detroit. Most widespread during the three decades prior to the civil war, this activity primarily took place in the regions bordering slave states, with the ohio river being the center of much of the. It was a hidden network of people who agreed to help runaway slaves. This quilt poster and guide is packed with ideas for helping children study the underground. Because the underground railroad is a famous story in canadian history, many people assume that all african canadians are descendants of escaped slaves. The hidden history of the underground railroad kindle edition by foner, eric. Mar 02, 2016 enslaved african americans escaped to freedom in canada in the 1850s. The railroad used many routes from states in the south, which supported slavery, to free states in the north and canada. Underground railroad, canadian history by diana bailey tpt.
The underground railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the united states during the early to mid19th century, and used by enslaved africanamericans to escape into free states and canada. Most widespread during the three decades prior to the civil war, this activity primarily took place in the regions bordering slave states, with the ohio river being the center of much. The scheme was assisted by abolitionists and others sympathetic to the cause of the escapees. The term underground railroad is said to have arisen from an incident that took place in 1831. Underground railroad historica canada education portal. Small set of photographs and public documents including reward posters. The underground railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the united states during the early to mid19th century, and used by. Click the two purple stations what types of stations were these, and what does this reveal about the underground railroad. This is the problem eric foner faced in writing gateway to freedom, his new history of the underground railroad. This canadian history for kids exclusive looks at the underground railroad. Using the web address below, lets learn more about these brave people that risked their lives for freedom.
Aug 22, 2018 at canadian end of underground railroad, issues not all black and white why we wrote this canada has long been a haven for those in the united states seeking to avoid authorities reach. The underground railroad was the network used by enslaved black americans to obtain their freedom in the 30 years before the civil war 18601865. Harriet tubman was an escaped slave who became a conductor on the underground railroad, leading slaves to freedom before the civil war, all while carrying a. By following the directions in the song, runaway slaves journey north along the underground railroad to freedom in canada. Aug 16, 2019 the underground railroad was the name given to a loose network of activists which helped escaped slaves from the american south find lives of freedom in northern states or across the international border in canada. During the seventeenth century, africans were brought to the united states to work as slaves. Sometimes, routes of the underground railroad were organized by abolitionists, people who opposed slavery. Legend has it that a kentucky runaway slave by the name of tice davids swam across the ohio river with slave catchers, including his old master, in hot pursuit.
For other resources and activities on the underground railroad, see all. Research the origins of the black populations in nova scotia, quebec, ontario, as well as the historical settlements in western canada. Learning about the geography of the southern united states and the history of the underground railroad is integral for students to completely comprehend what many slaves faced. History national underground railroad freedom center. As part of this process, students gather information to explain the history and presence of black communities throughout canada. As you read, use the notes and questions in the text to guide you in using this perspective. Due to the secretive nature of the railroad, it is unknown just how many freedom seekers attempted to escape or achieved a new life in freedom. But in canada, you can see the other half of the story. This is a set of activities designed to increase middle school students knowledge of what happened beyond the underground railroad and concentrates on the lives of four individuals who worked heroically to improve the lives of escaped and fugitive slaves. The underground railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the united states during the early to mid19th century, and used by africanamerican slaves to escape into. The underground railroad was a secret network of abolitionists people who wanted to abolish slavery. The underground railroad and migration of former slaves to ontario.
Explore the network of places and routes that made up the underground railroad. Has shown a willingness and interest to learn more about the history surrounding the underground railroad and has successfully completed the activities. The underground railroad, an informal network of safehouses and caring individuals, led escaping american slaves from the american south to canada. Feb 24, 2017 the british north american provinces, or canada, were among the most storied termini of the underground railroad.
The western underground railway paid no dividends, aspired to no monopoly, and never had a general meeting of its directors. It was a name given to the way that people escaped. In this chugger mugger mystery, the famous lantern has just been stolen from the maple leaf museum and it. The act allowed slave masters to enter free, northern u.
Jan 31, 2020 the underground railroad was a secret network of abolitionists people who wanted to abolish slavery. New york and michigan with their proximity to canada and abundant land and. Underground railroad united states history britannica. At least 30,000 africanamerican men, women and children fugitive slaves. Detroit performs this painting by paul collins of harriet tubmans underground railroad the elaborate and secret series of. Though neither underground nor a railroad, it was thus named because its activities had to be carried out in. The secret history of the underground railroad the atlantic. In the popu lar understa nding and retel ling of the underground railroad story, canada is presumed in its origi ns and early history as a nation consistent with moder n notions of incl usiveness. The underground railroad national geographic society. The underground railroad historical thinking project. The underground railroad is an example of a neoslave narrative, a term coined by ishmael reed that refers to a work of literature written in the contemporary era that is set during the slavery era and tells the story from the perspective of enslaved characters. Evaluating the national underground railroad network to.
Really good stuff activity guide underground railroad quilt guide. This thesis evaluates the national underground railroad network to freedom program through three cases studies, in order to. History, in this biography, refers to the social, political, economic and cultural climate of the american south in the time period before the civil war, when many african americans were enslaved. Africanamericans, africanamerican history, slavery, perseverance, willpower, freedom, the underground railroad. The underground railroad is a term for the covert network of people and places that assisted fugitive slaves as they escaped from slavery in the south. Underground railroad in vermont vermont historical society. Foner focuses on the route philadelphianew york cityupstate new york canada, used by slaves fleeing from western maryland, northern virginia now west virginia, and the delmarva peninsula delaware then being a slave state. Enslaved african americans escaped to freedom in canada in the 1850s. The underground railroad was neither a railroad nor underground. At canadian end of underground railroad, issues not all black and white why we wrote this canada has long been a haven for those in the united states seeking to avoid authorities reach. Many slaves escaped to the northern united states and canada where they could be free.
Sep 19, 20 underground railroad historical sites are plentiful in the u. The history of the underground railroad is a story of human courage, endurance and the belief of individual freedom. Underground railroad webquest the underground railroad was a term used for a network of people, homes, and hideouts that slaves in the southern united states used to escape to freedom in the northern united states and canada. Underground railroad operators based themselves in canada and worked to help the arriving fugitives settle in. The underground railroad is an important part of american historyyet it is difficult for children to understand what the underground railroad was and how african slaves, known as fugitives, rode it to freedom. Both were slave jails, illustrating the risk of being captured and returned to slavery. Freedom seekers went in many directions canada, mexico, indian territory, the west, caribbean islands and europe.
Estimates vary widely, but at least 30,000 slaves, and potentially more than 100,000, escaped to canada via the underground railroad. At canadian end of underground railroad, issues not all black. Other examples of neoslave narratives include octavia butlers kindred, toni morrisons beloved, marlon james the book of. Civil war the underground railroad was a term used for a network of people, homes, and hideouts that slaves in the southern united states used to escape to freedom in the northern united states and canada. Vermont was very active in the antislavery movement before the civil war. Examining primary sources gives students a powerful sense of history and the complexity of the past. The underground railroad in oswego county a history of heroism before the civil war, thousands of african american men, women, and children fled slavery, looking for freedom in the northern states or in canada. The underground railroad was the name given to a loose network of activists which helped escaped slaves from the american south find lives of freedom in northern states or across the international border in canada. This thesis evaluates the national underground railroad network to freedom program through three cases studies, in order to determine if it is an effective model for. The largest group settled in upper canada ontario, called canada west from 1841. The term underground railroad is not what the name suggests. It is known that many slaves escaped through vermont to canada. Students will be encouraged to identify possible causes for the development of the underground railroad, and various consequences related to its existence.
Slavery and racialization in the making of the canadian state. The hidden history of the underground railroad tells a story that will surprise most readers. The underground railroad is one of historys finest symbols of the struggle. There was no official membership in the organization, and while specific. Key to understanding this important movement in american history is an examination of its roots in the areas where people were enslaved. Southerners bitterly resented those in the north who assisted the slaves.
In all 30,000 slaves fled to canada, many with the help of the underground railroad a secret network of free blacks and white sympathizers who helped runaways. Following the recommendations of the study, the national underground railroad network to freedom act of 1998 was passed. Apr 18, 2011 the act allowed slave masters to enter free, northern u. Biography and coherence a biography is the story of. Feb 27, 2020 this 9 page pdf provides primary source sets, images, and and resources for students and teachers. The antislavery society of canada was established, founded by journalist and future father of confederation george brown. Some underground railroad operators based themselves in canada and worked to help the arriving fugitives settle in. Canadian history for kids chugger mugger book description billy the barrel used his famous golden lantern to help many slaves through the underground railroad and into canada where freedom awaited them. Underground railroad freedom movement was between 1820 and 1865. Escape from slavery underground railroad student activity.
History civil war the underground railroad was a term used for a network of people, homes, and hideouts that slaves in the southern united states used to escape to freedom in the northern united states and canada. The underground railroad america in class resources. The underground railroad was the largest antislavery freedom movement in north america. Some slaves were actually packed into cargo containers and. The underground railroad ugrr was a metaphor for a large, interconnected network composed of smaller local systems that helped fugitives runaway slaves to make their way to freedom by providing money, transportation, food, clothing, other goods, and legal services.
Not literally a railroad, the workers both black and white, free and enslaved. They coined the term underground railroad to mean an organized network devoted to keep slaves away from their masters, sometimes even crossing the border into canada. This underground to canada literature unit, based on the novel by barbara smucker, is intended to help students delve deeply into the lives of the two young main characters, julilly and liza, as they attempt to escape from slavery using the underground railroad of the 19th century. Operating largely in darkness and disguise, free blacks with assistance from sympathetic northerners provided direction, food, and shelter for those seeking freedom in the north or in canada. There was no actual physical railroad with engines and tracks, but the term stuck. Among its biggest surprises is that, despite the books subtitle, the. Numerous black canadian communities developed in southern ontario.
This 9 page pdf provides primary source sets, images, and and resources for students and teachers. Tumbling blocks boxes this signaled to the slavesby the number of boxes and knotsthe time to box up all ones belongings in preparation to escape. The underground railroad primary sources for african. This prompted an increased use of the underground railroad to get into canada. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading gateway to freedom.
The underground railroad was the term used to describe a network of meeting places, secret routes, passageways and safe houses used by slaves in the u. Kindergarten 3rd grade readers the underground railroad. For more information about the underground railroad, visit. The british north american provinces, or canada, were among the most storied termini of the underground railroad. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Underground railroad historical sites are plentiful in the u. This story is a apart of our continuing black history month series. Established in the early 1800s and aided by people involved in the abolitionist movement, the. They helped african americans escape from enslavement in the american south to free northern states or to canada. At ontario underground railroad sites, farming and liberty. Some slaves walked to freedom, especially if there was a conductor to lead the way. Harriet tubman harriet tubman was the most famous conductor for the underground. Underground railroad, in the united states, a system existing in the northern states before the civil war by which escaped slaves from the south were secretly helped by sympathetic northerners, in defiance of the fugitive slave acts, to reach places of safety in the north or in canada.