The Underground Railroad
Harriet Tubman led most of her fellow African Americans out of slavery through an underground railroad. It’s about a 90-mile walk, which will take about five days but since they pass the Fugitive Slave Act, she had to lead the slave even farther north, into Canada where slavery was abolished. Harriet Tubman first went back to save her members of her family but returned many times after that to help the remaining slaves that has to suffer the wrath of their “masters.”
The Fugitive Slave Act
This act was passed to help runaway slaves be returned to their masters. Although in some states slavery was looked down upon, the act still took place in those areas because slavery was not abolished yet. Although it was meant to catch slaves and put them into justice, it was also meant to catch those who are helping the slave and put them into justice. So not only was it dangerous for runaway slaves, it was also dangerous for those who are trying to help the runaway slaves. This made it harder for slaves to run away to Canada because they wouldn’t know whom to trust.
Life as a Runaway Slave
While following the underground railroad, there were many obstacles that the slaves had to face. Slaves would travel miles a day to gain freedom. However, they were not alone; during their journey, white families aided them to sanctuary in their own homes. Some signs of a safe house was a lantern on a hitching post. Although, slaves were safe in the houses, as they went to bed they heard the voices of slave owners and the barks of bloodhounds. These sounds got them paranoid that they were going to get caught.