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The Start of Slavery
The first African slaves were brought to Jamestown, Virginia, a British colony. This started 246 years of slavery in the United States.
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The Start
The first actions of the Underground Railroad, started by Quaker Isaac T. Hopper and African-American collaberators. This started in Philadelphia to help slaves who had escaped, and more Quakers in North Carolina opened their homes as shelters and routes.
Photo Credit: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/119506/freedom-underground-railroad
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad -
Fugitive Slave Act
The start of this Act created capturing escaped slaves a very profitable and popular business, as it allowed extradition within borders of free states. It was difficult in the south for escapees to get away as there were not many hiding places for them until they got further north. Many Northern states tried to fight this Act with various laws, but all were struck down by the Supreme Court.
Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850
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The First Long-Distance
The first long distant route of the Underground Railroad was established by Quakers, Vestal and Levi Coffin. The fugitives would emigrate with Quakers moving from North Carolina to Indiana. Homes run by individuals such as Vestal and Levi would be known as "stations" or "safe houses", while the people who were in charge, or operated them were known as "stationmasters".
Photo Credit: http://www.harriet-tubman.org/underground-railroad/
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Levi Coffin
Levi Coffin made himself a major player in the Underground Railroad as being one of the first to support the escapees, and especially when he moved to Newport, Indiana. Once there, he was able to establish one of the most effective operations found in the trans-Appalachian west Underground Railroad. Some of the methods he would employ include false-bottomed wagons, or secret rooms in the "station".
Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levi_Coffin
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Anti-Slavery Movement in America
The 1830's was when the majority of the population started to fight against slavery in the US.In Boston, a newspaper called the "Liberator",started by William Lloyd Garrison, was the first to ask for the abolition of slavery. Soon after, the American Anti-Slavery Society was founded in Philadelphia, the first of its kind, and many members became active in the Underground Railroad after its birth. In New York City, David Ruggles ends up helping over 1000 slaves.
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First Mention of the Underground Railroad
The first known mention of the Underground Railroad was by the owner of Tice Davids, who escaped rom Kentucky to Ohio. His owner blamed the "underground railroad" for the loss of his slave, and helping him to his freedom.
Photo Credit:
http://aasc.oupexplore.com/undergroundrailroad/#!/timeline.
http://www.ushistory.com/Info_Underground_Railroad.html -
Anti-Slavery Movements Around the World
The first Anti-Slavery convention is held in London, England in 1840, where delegates from around the world attended. One of the US delegates includes Lucretia Mott, an underground activist, along with her husband John.
Photo Credit: https://www.emaze.com/@AOOZCTFRF/lucretia-mott
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Ripley, Ohio
Reverend John Rankin and his family helped to make Ripley, Ohio one of the most active centres for the Underground Railroad. The Ohio river became a popular means of escape for fleeing slaves, as there were many connections through Ohio to Indiana and Iowa, as well as Philadelphia on their way to Canada.
Photo Credit: https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/library/alumni/online_exhibits/digital/2001/beecher/intro.htm
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Underground Railroad in the News
The Underground Railroad was first mentioned in newspapers by the "Western Citizen", who referenced the Railroad as if it were a train. Soon the terms "stations" "station masters" and "passengers" became the code of the Underground Railroad.
Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walton_with_Leicester_-_Peterborough_East_train_geograph-2791492-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
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SS - Slave Saviour or Slave Stealer?
Unfortunately, not all rescue attempts went well, and this was the case for Jonathan Walker. He attempted to bring six fugitives to the British Bahamas from Florida by boat, much to their dismay, a day away from their destination, and they were caught. This is thought to be one of the boldest and bravest slave-rescue attempts. He was later branded with SS, standing for "slave stealer", but he believes it to mean "slave saviour".
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Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman is most likely the most well-known "conductors" of the Underground Railroad. She was an escaped slave from Maryland, and returns thirteen times to rescue slaves and guide them to Canada, as she doubted the US would treat them properly. She worked closely with Thomas Garrett and William Still.
Photo Credit: http://dutchman.me/harriet-tubman-pictures/harriet-tubman-pictures-2-sweet-idea/
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad -
Slaves in Canada
By 1850, there are more than 20,000 fugitives that made their way to Canada for freedom. Many communities are able to grow and prosper with the arrival of the individuals. A newspaper called "Voice of the Fugitive", was created by Henry Bibb, to update the details of arrivals in Canada.
Photo Credit: https://www.ncpedia.org/underground-railroad
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Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was passed by congress, requiring all citizens to turn in any fugitives, and work together with law officials. This Act was required by all citizens, despite their feelings and beliefs on the case of slavery, because of this, many protests started across the North. This ended up causing the Railroad to grow with more supporters to fight against the Act. This Act ended up promoting favouritism towards slave owners, and in some cases led to free slaves being recaptured. -
The Civil War
With the Union armies marching through the United States, escaped slaves go to them for their protection, ending the need for the Underground Railroad for much of the population, allowing for the aid to go aboveground. Harriet Tubman helped the Union Army with assisting their intelligence operations to help the fugitives.
Photo Credit: http://www.rugusavay.com/ito-jakuchu-paintings/
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Important Individuals
Key individuals include Frederick Douglass, from Rochester, NY who helped 400 slaves into Canada. Jermain Lougen from Syracuse, also helped 1,500 refugees into Canada. From Ohio, John Parker, rowed individuals across the Ohio river in his rowboat, and would occasionally travel to Kentucky and help slaves there. There was also Gerrit Smith, who ran for Presidency twice, and ended up buying a family of slaves and freeing them. These individuals saved countless lives, without much credit. -
The Official End
The US constitution changes the fifteenth amendment to allow suffrage to African-Americans. With this, many supporters of the Underground Railroad, including Levi Coffin, celebrate the symbolic end of the Railroad.
Photo Credit: https://christianstaal.com/category/succes/
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad
http://aasc.oupexplore.com/undergroundrailroad/#!/timeline
