What were the jobs of the Underground Railroad?
Underground Railroad conductors were free individuals who helped fugitive slaves traveling along the Underground Railroad. Conductors helped runaway slaves by providing them with safe passage to and from stations. They did this under the cover of darkness with slave catchers hot on their heels.
What was the purpose of the Underground Railroad how did it work?
The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early to mid-19th century. It was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada.
What was the length of the Underground Railroad?
The routes from safe-house to safe-house (houses where fugitive slaves were kept) were called lines and were roughly 15 miles long, but the distance shortened considerably the further north one got. Stopping places were called stations (Catherine Harris’ home). Those who aided fugitive slaves were known as conductors.
How many slaves escaped from the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad effectively moved many slaves to freedom each year. Its use peaked between 1850 and 1860. Some estimate that up to 100,000 slaves had escaped via the Underground Railroad by 1850. For all those involved, running away to freedom was a dangerous and difficult ordeal.
Who were famous people in the Underground Railroad?
Harriet Tubman was the most famous “conductor” of the Underground Railroad; helping numerous slaves escape to freedom. She was proud that she never lost one “passenger”. Other important people involved in this escape network were Frederick Douglass, Levi Coffin, Thomas Garrett, William Lloyd Garrison, and William Still.
How did slaves escape from the Underground Railroad?
Abolitionists disobeyed laws to help slaves escape slavery. They helped Southern slaves escape to Canada, many using the organized network of the Underground Railroad. In the novel, Underground to Canada abolitionists played a big roll. The abolitionists helped the slaves to escape to freedom.
Who freed slaves Underground Railroad?
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist. She led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom along the route of the Underground Railroad.