The Underground Railroad: Escape from Slavery

Fact or Fiction?

Read aloud the following statements about the Underground Railroad.

BEFORE READING AFTER READING

FACT / FICTION / STATEMENT / FACT / FICTION
Most of the people who helped runaway slaves were white.
All abolitionists supported the Underground Railroad.
Most northerners welcomed fugitive slaves.
Slaves made quilts and sang songs with coded messages to help runaway slaves.

Myths of the Underground Railroad

Why do you think some of these myths prevail about the Underground Railroad? When you hear a story about American history, what are some ways you can verify its accuracy?

PART I - On the Plantation: Life as a Slave

Read the firsthand account of the young slave on the Kentucky plantation. The explore the scene and answer:

·  What images and feelings do you remember most from Walter's story?

·  What are some of the main reasons Walter would want to escape the plantation?

·  What was a common crop in Kentucky?

·  Describe the slaves' living quarters.

·  What could happen if a slave showed up late to the fields?

Watch the Slideshow: Slavery

·  How and from where were the first slaves brought to America?

·  What did it mean to be a slave?

·  Why was slavery so important to the South's economy?

Part 2 - Escape! The Underground Railroad

Read the firsthand account of the young slave as he escapes on the Underground Railroad.

·  How did Walter find his way?

·  What challenges did he face?

·  What was his biggest fear?

·  Name two ways slaves knew which direction to travel.

·  What happened if a runaway slave was caught?

Slideshow: Underground Railroad

·  Why was it so dangerous for slaves to escape?

·  Were slaves free once they got off the plantation? Why not?

·  How did most fugitives travel?

·  What was the difference between a passenger, a conductor, and a stationmaster on the Underground Railroad?

·  Why was it so important to keep the work of the Underground Railroad hidden?

Part 3 – Reaching Safety: Heroes for the Cause

·  Why do you think people used phrases like "a friend of friends"?

·  Why was Walter so afraid of John at first?

·  Is Walter free in Ohio? Why or why not?

·  Name two ways stationmasters and conductors kept fugitives safe from slave catchers.

·  Who was John Rankin and why was he famous?

·  Why were newspapers important to the abolitionists?

Slideshow: Abolitionists

·  Who were the abolitionists?

·  Why was it so dangerous for those who worked on the Underground Railroad?

·  Name one famous abolitionist and describe what he or she did to fight against slavery.

Part 4: Almost Free: Life in the North

·  Why was it difficult for Walter to trust the people he met?

·  Why did he feel "like a spy" traveling across Ohio?

·  Do you think fugitives felt welcome in northern cities? Why or why not?

·  What might have surprised runaway slaves who reached northern cities?

·  Why do you think Harriet Tubman felt like "a stranger in a strange land"?

Slideshow: A New Life of Freedom

·  Why did so many thriving black communities spring up in Canadian towns across the U.S. border?

·  What events brought an end to slavery?

·  Did the abolition of slavery mean complete equality for African Americans? Explain your answer.

Compare Two Worlds: The North vs. The South

·  Where were the Union, Confederate, and Border states?

·  Describe the differences between the economies of the North and the South. Why were slaves crucial to the South's economy?

·  Which southern states had the highest slave population? Why do you think more slaves lived in this region?

·  Which region had more railroads and factories? What advantages did these provide in the Civil War?

Final Activity: Tell the Story