The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad

By Joy

       Starting thousands of years ago, the horrible history of slavery began.  Because of the millions of slaves, who needed help escaping from their owner’s serious wrath, the Underground Railroad was quickly formed.  Harriet Tubman was one of these slaves, but with help from the devoted Underground Railroad, she became a free woman and helped save hundreds of other slaves.

       Thousands of years of history have experienced the effects of slavery, the situation has improved.  During the 1800s slavery was typical in the southern states until it was abolished.  Slavery conditions varied dramatically.  The conditions of most slaves were absolutely terrible.  Giving privileges, some masters were kind, which slaves appreciated.  Sadly, slavery was a divisive issue during the 19th century in the United States.

       Unfortunately the United States has a long history with slavery.  In 1776, Thomas Jefferson, who was the third President of the United States, stated, in the Declaration of Independence, that slavery was not less immoral than, “murder, robbery, lewdness, and barbarity”.  He called the slave trade, “ a cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty”.  Continental Congress removed this anti-slavery wording out of the Declaration of Independence because they didn’t want to displease the Southerners.  Before 1860 there were four million slaves in America.  Having plenty to do with slavery, the Civil war was an ongoing fight between the North and South.  The United States eventually put an end to slavery on December 18, 1865.  

       The slaves’ conditions varied depending on where they lived, worked, and their masters’ kindness.  Most adult slaves were given one pair of shoes, two outfits, and one blanket made of scratchy wool, which was extremely worn out after a year.  Slaves, who worked in the master’s house, ate better food, got better clothes, and were privileged to sleep in the master’s house.  Those who worked outside were not allowed inside of the master’s house. They lived in slave quarters with no furniture.

       Slaves couldn’t do anything without a pass from their owner, they couldn’t even walk down the street.  They didn’t own anything, including their name.  They had no idea when they were born.  Dejectedly, slaves were sold at auctions like they were an animal and were chained at night so they couldn’t run away. They would be forced to work all day and sometimes all night.  Many got sick and died.  Then the masters or overseers would simply buy new slaves to replace them.  For slaves, conditions were outrageous.

       Starting thousands of years ago, slavery destroyed the lives of countless families. Millions were speedily stolen from their homes overseas where they were cruelly brought to America, which begins the history of slavery during the 19th century in the United States.  The history of slavery started thousands of years ago.  Some were lucky enough that their masters treated them well, others were not.  For most slaves the conditions were terrible.  Sadly millions were taken away from their native homes and families.  Few escaped.

       Millions were captured, less than 3% escaped with help from the Underground Railroad.   The Underground Railroad existed when slavery was very prevalent in America, during the 19th century.  To make the Underground Railroad possible, there were plenty of different codes.  After having run away if a slave was captured, the consequences were extremely harsh.  What really was this Underground Railroad?

       The Underground Railroad wasn’t underground or a railroad.  It was a secret way for the slaves to travel north, to freedom.  A popular destinations was Canada.  The Underground Railroad got its name during the 1800’s.  Although its peak years were 1830-1860.  Using many codes, the Underground Railroad was unquestionably secretive.  Slaves referred to the Ohio River as the Jordan River, a biblical reference, and Canada as the “Promised Land”.  The imaginary line between the slave states and the free states was called the Mason-Dixon line.  The Underground Railroad meant salvation for many slaves.

       The Underground Railroad was very secretive.  Therefore many codes were put into place.  For example; “stations” were houses where the slaves were hidden, the people, who were in charge of the stations, were called “station masters”, and guides were known as “conductors”.  The average distance from station to station was 10-15 miles, which meant that a trip could take two days up to a year.  The busiest stations were the ones that bordered the slave states.  Running away, slaves would use disguises.  Some traveled by horse drawn carts, carriages, boats, and horses, but most walked.  The routes on the underground railroad weren’t in a straight line.  This way it was extremely hard for the slave hunters to catch fugitives.   Even though the Underground Railroad was secretive, some slaves were still caught and punished.

       Caught slaves were extremely punished.  Any slave who was caught could be severely whipped, have their feet put in stocks, their feet cut off so they were crippled, or even be killed.  Being chased by slave hunters, some slaves were shot.  Almost four million slaves were captured from their native homeland and brought to the South, only about a hundred thousand escaped.  Slaves who ran away must have been desperate knowing that the punishment was harsh.

       With help from the Underground Railroad, hundreds of slaves escaped the serious wrath from their owners, by traveling north to freedom.  The Underground Railroad was very secretive, as this made it hard for the slave hunters to track them down.  When they were caught, the punishment could be deadly. Peacefully the Underground Railroad abetted many innocent slaves allowing them to start a new life in freedom.

       Rescuing 300 innocent slaves, Harriet Tubman quickly became one of the best conductors on the Underground Railroad.  As a child, Harriet herself was a slave.  She had many masters.  One day when her master died, Harriet was determined to escape.  Eventually Harriet, who was joyful, passed the Mason-Dixon line and was a free woman.  In a free state, Harriet decided she wanted to become a conductor and share her newfound joy.

       Harriet’s childhood family was like many others, except they were slaves.  Working at Edward Brodas’ plantation in Maryland, Benjamin Ross and Harriet Green, were married slaves.  Around 1820 they gave birth to an absolutely gorgeous girl, named Araminta, whose nickname was “Minty”.  Eventually Araminta, who was the eleventh sibling, was known as Harriet Tubman.  As a slave child it was rare to live with both parents.  Harriet was lucky.  During her childhood as a slave, even though she lived with both her parents, Harriet had plenty of masters.

       Harriet had many masters during her years as a slave.  Cruelly, most whipped her and wouldn’t train her, but expected her what to do.  Harriet, who was extremely strong, usually did odd jobs, including; taking care of the baby, dusting, sweeping, and lifting heavy loads.  Although Harriet was a human being, she was not treated like one,since she still was forced to do labor by various masters.

       In 1849, Harriet’s master died, which led her to think about escaping.  She had heard a rumor about how all the slaves were to be sold deep south, which meant harder work and worse conditions.  Along with her brothers, Harriet decided to escape because she figured this was the perfect chance.  Late in the night, she went to where her sister worked and sung to her,  

“I’ll meet you in de mornin’,

When you reach de promised land;

On the other side of Jordan,

For I’m bound for the promised land.”

       Sadly, not too long after they left, Harriet’s petrified brothers, who quickly became nervous, decided to return home.  Harriet knew that it was now or never.  She went on alone.  At last Harriet passed the Mason-Dixon line.  Later in her life she stated, “When I had found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person.  There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in heaven.”  After her escape she was joyful and wanted to share this new found joy she had, by becoming a conductor.

       Harriet became one of the best conductors around.  She went on 19 different trips and saved almost 300 slaves.  When on a trip with Harriet if a slave wanted to turn back,  Harriet would quickly point a pistol at him/her.  Harriet never had a slave turn back.  Her secrets saved.  Losing all she had worked for, Harriet understood was not an option.  At one point if someone caught Harriet, dead or alive, the reward was $40,000.  William Lloyd Garrison nicknamed her Moses, after Moses in the Bible, who saved the Israelites from Pharaoh. Extremely well known for being a conductor, Harriet saved hundreds of lives.

       As a child, Harriet, who had plenty of masters, was a slave.  When Harriet found the perfect chance, she instantaneously escaped.  She still risked her life and became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. By becoming a conductor Harriet Tubman saved numerous, innocent lives.  

       Slavery was absolutely prevalent in the southern states during the 19th century.  The Underground Railroad saved numerous lives.  Extremely intelligent, Harriet Tubman escaped when she found the chance.  The most significant thing is how Harriet Tubman, the Moses of the 19th century, saved hundreds of innocent lives through the Underground Railroad.