Assignment 4.2 Underground Railroad
The Underround Railroad was a network of safe-houses and people who helped runaway slaves reach free states in the American North or Canada between 1840 and 1860. There were no actual train on the Underground Railroad but guides called 'conductors' helped them travel along a route of hiding places.
Guided north by the stars and singing traditional songs, most runaways travelled at night by foot, trying to hide from slave hunters. Using modern roads, the trip would be 560 miles (900 kilometres) long. A strong, lucky runaway might make it to freedom in two months. For others, especially in bad weather, the trek might last a year.
Slaves passed information about methods of escaping by word-of-mouth, in stories, and through songs. More than 30.000 slaves reached Canada by the railroad.
Helpers of the Underground Railroad were referred to be names of people who worked on real railroads. For example, stationmasters hid runaway slaves in their homes or stations. Conducters guided or transported slaves to the next station. Stockholders gave money, food, and clothes to fugitive slaves. Even the slaves themselves were called passengers or baggage.
Harriet Tubman was a famouns conductor. However, she was not the only one who played an important role in the saving of hundreds of slaves. Many other people were involved as well. You will find out more about these people in the next assignment.
Find a partner from your study group you can do this assignment with because the next assignment involves speaking and has to be done in pairs. Your teacher will hand out assignment 4.2 to you in class.
Guided north by the stars and singing traditional songs, most runaways travelled at night by foot, trying to hide from slave hunters. Using modern roads, the trip would be 560 miles (900 kilometres) long. A strong, lucky runaway might make it to freedom in two months. For others, especially in bad weather, the trek might last a year.
Slaves passed information about methods of escaping by word-of-mouth, in stories, and through songs. More than 30.000 slaves reached Canada by the railroad.
Helpers of the Underground Railroad were referred to be names of people who worked on real railroads. For example, stationmasters hid runaway slaves in their homes or stations. Conducters guided or transported slaves to the next station. Stockholders gave money, food, and clothes to fugitive slaves. Even the slaves themselves were called passengers or baggage.
Harriet Tubman was a famouns conductor. However, she was not the only one who played an important role in the saving of hundreds of slaves. Many other people were involved as well. You will find out more about these people in the next assignment.
Find a partner from your study group you can do this assignment with because the next assignment involves speaking and has to be done in pairs. Your teacher will hand out assignment 4.2 to you in class.