Freedom

Freedom

Harriett Tubman worked for the Underground Railroad.

Why was the word "underground" used to describe the organization? All of its work was done secretly. That's because it was illegal to free slaves. Escaped slaves, or fugitives, could be stopped anywhere in the United States. Then they would be taken back to their owners in the South.

Multiple Choice

What happened to slaves that were caught trying to escape?

• They were returned to their owners in the South.

• They were put in jail.

There were consequences.

The law also punished people who helped escaped slaves. As a result, both fugitives and their helpers had to get creative. In one home, fugitives hit in a tiny room behind a cupboard. Another group of 28 fugitives disguised themselves as marchers in a funeral.

Poll

Which sentence helps us visualize a lot of people hiding in a small space?

• As a result, both fugitives and their helpers had to get creative.

• In one home, fugitives hit in a tiny room behind a cupboard.

• Another group of 28 fugitives disguised themselves as marchers in a funeral.​

Multiple Choice

Which sentence helps us visualize slaves pretending to be other people to hide?

• The law also punished people who helped escaped slaves.

• As a result, both fugitives and their helpers had to get creative.

• Another group of 28 fugitives disguised themselves as marchers in a funeral.​

Harriet Tubman became one of the Underground Railroad's most famous conductors.  By 1856, $40,000 was being offered as a reward for her capture and return to the South. But Harriet was far too clever to be caught. Many experts believe she never lost a fugitive whom she helped to escape. Among those she helped were members of her family, and her parents.

Poll

Would you go back and help free other people in this situation?

• Yes

• No

The Civil War

Harriet Tubman was involved in the Civil War.

Civil War

In 1861, a civil war broke out. It was between the northern and southern states. One major reason for conflict between the North and the South was slavery. The North wanted to end slavery, while the South wanted to continue it.

Multiple Choice

Why did Civil War break out?

• Some states wanted slaver to continue, others wanted to end it.

• Some states wanted more taxes, others did not.

Multiple Choice

Who were fighting in the Civil War?

• The East and the West

• The North and the South

Harriet does a lot!

Harriet's role in fighting slavery changed with the Civil War. She worked for the Union (North) Army. She was a nurse. She took care of slaves whom the army had helped escape. She worked as a spy, too. She also found slaves who might want to join the army. Se even helped organize a raid, or attack, that freed more than 700 slaves.

Multiple Select

What did Harriet do during the Civil War? (check all that apply)

• Nurse

• Spy

• Organized a raid

• Filmed the war on her phone.

A Heroine Among Heroes

After the Civil War

End of Slavery

The Civil War led to the end of slavery.  Harriet's work wasn't done. She went to live in Auburn, New York. There she founded a home to care for elderly African Americans who didn't have their own homes.

Multiple Choice

What did Harriet Tubman do after the end of slavery?

• She continued to go to the south to free slaves.

• She made a house for elderly African Americans who had no homes.

Frederick Douglas said:

"I know of no one who has willingly encountered more... hardships to serve our enslave people that you," he wrote. She didn't receive any reward for her efforts. All she received were the thanks of a "few trembling, scarred, and foot-sore" slaves.  Those thanks were enough for Harriet.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the condition of slaves?

• happy, healthy, wise

• Trembling, scarred, foot-sore