Exploring The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th century Blackslaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists who aided the fugitives. The Underground Railroad was at its height between 1810 and 1850, with over 30,000 people escaping enslavement (mainly to Canada) via the network.
Structure
The escape network was solely "underground" in the sense of being an underground resistance. The network was known as a "railroad" by way of the use of rail terminology in the code. The Underground Railroad consisted of meeting points, secret routes, transportation, and safe houses, and assistance provided by abolitionist sympathizers. Individuals were often organized in small, independent groups, which helped to maintain secrecy since some knew of connecting "stations" along the route but few details of their immediate area. Escaped slaves would move along the route from one way station to the next, steadily making their way north. "Conductors" on the railroad came from various backgrounds and included free-born blacks, white abolitionists, former slaves, and Native Americans. Churches also often played a role.
Route
Many people associated with the Underground Railroad only knew their part of the operation and not of the whole scheme. Though this may seem like an unreliable route for slaves to gain their freedom, hundreds of slaves obtained freedom to the North every year.
The resting spots where the runaways could sleep and eat were given the code names “stations” and “depots” which were held by “station masters”. There were also those known as “stockholders” who gave money or supplies for assistance. There were the “conductors” who ultimately moved the runaways from station to station. The “conductor” would sometimes act as if he or she were a slave and enter a plantation. Once a part of a plantation the "conductor" would direct the fugitives to the North. During the night the slaves would move, traveling on about 10–20 miles per night. They would stop at the so-called “stations” or "depots" during the day and rest. While resting at one station, a message was sent to the next station to let the station master know the runaways were on their way. Money was donated by many people to help buy tickets and even clothing for the fugitives so they would remain unnoticeable.
Traveling Conditions
Although the fugitives sometimes traveled on real railways or boats, the primary means of transportation were on foot or by wagon. In addition, routes were often purposely indirect in order to throw off pursuers. Most escapes were by individuals or small groups. The majority of the escapees were young; usually artisans from border states who believed their skills gave them a chance of survival in the North.
Due to the risk of discovery, information about routes and safe havens was passed along by word of mouth. Southern newspapers of the day were often filled with pages of notices soliciting information about escaped slaves and offering sizable rewards for their capture and return. Federal marshals and professional bounty hunters known as slave catchers pursued fugitives as far as the Canadian border.
The risk of capture was not limited solely to actual fugitives. Because strong, healthy blacks in their prime working and reproductive years were highly valuable commodities, it was not unusual for free blacks — both freedmen (former slaves) and those who had lived their entire lives in freedom — to be kidnapped and sold into slavery. "Certificates of freedom" — signed, notarized statements attesting to the free status of individual blacks — could easily be destroyed and thus afforded their owners little protection. Moreover, under the terms of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, when suspected fugitives were seized they had no right to a jury trial and could not testify in their own behalf, since technically they were guilty of no crime; the marshal or private slave-catcher only needed to swear an oath for the return of their property (slave).
Nevertheless, Congress believed the fugitive slave laws were necessary because of the lack of cooperation by the police, courts, and public outside of the Deep South. States such as Michigan passed laws interfering with the federal bounty system, which politicians from the South felt was grossly unfair, and this became a key motivation for secession
Terminology
Members of The Underground Railroad often used specific words, based on the metaphor of the railway. For example:
- People who helped slaves find the railroad were "agents" (or "shepherds")
- Guides were known as "conductors"
- Hiding places were "stations"
- Abolitionists would fix the "tracks"
- "Stationmasters" hid slaves in their homes
- Escaped slaves were referred to as "passengers" or "cargo"
- Slaves would obtain a "ticket"
- Financial benefactors of the Railroad were known as "stockholders".
Questions: Answer in complete sentences
- What was the Underground Railroad and how many people did it help free?
- Why was the Underground Railroad called “Underground” when slaves traveled almost completely over ground?
- What steps were taken to help reduce the discovery of the Underground Railroad?
- How did the Fugitive Slave Law risk the safety of free African Americans in the North who may have never been a slave?
- How did Northern States try to get around the Fugitive Slave Law?
- Define the words associated with the Underground Railroad. Be sure to answer the questions using Railroad Terminology:
What would you call the area a slave was hiding in?______
If someone helped a slave find the railroad, he would be known as an______
If you were guiding a slave, you would be referred to as a______
What term is used to describe someone who hides slaves in their home?______
If you gave money and supplies to help slaves, you would be known as a______
7. If you were helping out on the Underground Railroad, what role would you prefer to have? Explain your answer.