The Underground Railroad

AbolitionistAbolitionist

Abolition-The movement to end slavery

Slaves would hide in various places.

Abolitionist – a person who believed andworked for the abolishment of slavery.

William Lloyd GarrisonWilliam Lloyd Garrison

Abolitionist

Published anantislaverynewspaper TheLiberator

James K. PolkJames K. Polk

Elected president in 1845

From NC- Educated at UNC;was a slave owner

Gained more territory aspresident than any other

James K. PolkJames K. Polk

1845- Texas/Mexican War gainedthe US: California, New Mexico,Utah, Arizona, Colorado,Wyoming & Nevada

1846- Enter Oregon

Claimed by US & Britain

Divided the US & Canada at 49thparallel

Balancing GovernmentBalancing Government

Goal: Equal number of slave & freestates

1787: Northwest Ordinance bannedslavery North or West of the OhioRiver; The South didn’t fight thisbecause it did not focus on the South

Balancing GovernmentBalancing Government

•1800’s: Northern population jumpsdue to the Irish Potato Famine—increases Northern control in theHouse of Representatives

•1818: Missouri wants to be enteredas a slave state

•1820: Maine separates fromMassachusetts as free and createsbalance.

The UndergroundRailroadThe UndergroundRailroad

The Underground RailroadThe Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was actually anabove-ground series of escape routes forslaves traveling from the South to theNorth trying to gain their freedom.The Underground Railroad was actually anabove-ground series of escape routes forslaves traveling from the South to theNorth trying to gain their freedom.

Slaves traveled by foot, wagons, boats,and trains.Slaves traveled by foot, wagons, boats,and trains.

Slave runaways would usually travel bythe light of night and hide during the dayin places known as stations. These weresafe houses owned by abolitionists.Slave runaways would usually travel bythe light of night and hide during the dayin places known as stations. These weresafe houses owned by abolitionists.

An original painting by artist Janice Northcutt Huse. Janice is well known for her Underground Railroad and Gullah painting series. Both series were part of the traveling Smithsonian exhibit, Before Freedom Came: African-American Life in the Antebellum South. They also have been part of The Crowning & Celebration of Achievement of African Heritage Values since 2000. As such, these paintings are touring 110 cities in 57 countries (e.g., Australia, France, Japan, Korea, Switzerland) over the next 10 years. A print of Safe for Now painting from the Underground Railroad series hangs at the Harriet Tubman home in Auburn, N.Y. Janice's new World Trade Center series is also receiving widespread acclaim.

Henry Box BrownHenry Box Brown

Henry Brown convinced Samuel A. Smithto pack him in a box and ship him toPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania.Henry Brown convinced Samuel A. Smithto pack him in a box and ship him toPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania.

Henry Box Brown’s trip to Philadelphia wasgrueling, in tight quarters.Henry Box Brown’s trip to Philadelphia wasgrueling, in tight quarters.

Brown was set free in Philadelphia andeventually made his way to Boston, wherehe helped fellow escapees on theUnderground Railroad.Brown was set free in Philadelphia andeventually made his way to Boston, wherehe helped fellow escapees on theUnderground Railroad.

ConductorsConductors

Conductors werethe people who ledthe runaways tofreedom.Conductors werethe people who ledthe runaways tofreedom.

Harriett TubmanHarriett Tubman

Harriet Tubman was born a slave in Maryland.

When she learned that her owner was going tosell her, she decided to escape.

Tubman made 19 journeys from the South to theNorth as a Conductor on the UndergroundRailroad.

Harriet TubmanHarriet Tubman

Southern Plantationowners offered$40,000 for thecapture of HarrietTubman.

Plantation Ownersalso offered rewardsfor the return ofrunaway slaves.

Fredrick DouglassFredrick Douglass

AA

PP

a a

Routes to FreedomRoutes to Freedom

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

QuiltsQuilts

During the time of theUnderground Railroad fugitiveslaves would use quilts as ameans of communication.During the time of theUnderground Railroad fugitiveslaves would use quilts as ameans of communication.

Quilts were used by conductors tohelp fugitive slaves flee the Southand arrive safely in the North.Quilts were used by conductors tohelp fugitive slaves flee the Southand arrive safely in the North.

Quilt Usage in the UndergroundRailroadQuilt Usage in the UndergroundRailroad

This Quiltrepresentedthe NORTHSTARThis Quiltrepresentedthe NORTHSTAR

QuiltsQuilts

This quiltwas thesymbol forthe wagonwheel

QuiltsQuilts

This Quiltsymbolizeda log cabinThis Quiltsymbolizeda log cabin

QuiltsQuilts

This quiltsymbolizedacrossroads