Process
GETTING READY
DAY 1 - TAKE A VIRTUAL JOURNEY
The road to freedom was a rough one, full of many decisions and much uncertainty. Take these virtual journies together with your group to get a sense of the choices.
Underground Railroad Journey (National Geographic)
Describe your experience in detail as if it were a real and not a virtual journey. How did you make your decisions? What do you feel about your choices you had to make?
DAY 2 - LIFE AS A SLAVE: ON THE PLANTATION OR AS A FUGITIVE
Although you know that slavery is a terrible way to live, escaping is very risky, and many slaves who try don't make it to freedom. As you decide whether or not to join the Underground Railroad, you must consider what your life is like now, and the possible consequences of trying to escape.
Explore the following Web sites to find out more about what life is like as a slave, and the perils of escape.
African Americans in Slavery - National Park Service (NPS)
In Search of Freedom - National Park Service (NPS)
About the Underground Railroad
After your research, answer the following questions in your journal:
- Do you work in the fields, or in the big house? Describe your daily life as a slave.
- What rights are denied to you as a slave that you would have as a free person?
- What are the dangers of escaping?
- What will happen if I am caught?
- What would happen if you assist fugitive slaves escaping to freedom?
- What is the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 (and 1850?) and how will it effect you if you are caught? What rights does it gives to owners?
DAY 3 - MAP YOUR ROUTE TO FREEDOM
You've made your decision to escape! Now you must map out your route and decide what time of year you will go. Explore the following Web sites to figure out the answers to the following questions that will guide your escape plans.
Animated Map with audio (click on bottom left to start narration)
Interactive Map with Routes and links to Safe Houses (NPS)
Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania (see photos)
Draw a MAP of the eastern part of the United States showing your route:
- Draw the states and label them with their names and showing which are free and which slave states
- Draw and label the major bodies of water including rivers
- Show your route to freedom
and answer the following questions:
- What state are you starting in and what is your destination?
- What is your route?
- What states will you travel through?
- Why did you choose this route?
- What is the first free state you will enter?
- Are you safe once you enter the free states?
- What rivers will you cross and how will you cross them?
- What time of year will you be traveling?
- What are the pros and cons of traveling in winter or summer?
- What "stations" or safe houses might you stop at on your route?
ON THE ROAD
DAY 4 - Word Codes
Fugitive slaves had to use code words to pass information to each other about Underground Railroad. Today you will listen to some songs that contain secret codes.
Links to Lyrics and Music files
- Listen to the song Steal Away and describe what that words of the song communicated.
- Find at least 2 other songs that were used to communicate important information.
- What were the titles of the songs?
- Explain how these songs helped slaves communicate with each other.
- Code words were not only used in songs. Find out what "a load of potatoes" meant.
- Make a list of at least 10 different code words or phrases used on the Underground Railroad and write their definitions.
DAY 5 - Nature
You were told to follow the Drinking Gourd to freedom.
- What does the advice to follow the Drinking Gourd mean?
- Draw a picture of the Drinking Gourd in your journal.
- What are some of the other names for the Drinking Gourd?
What are other signs in nature that you are using to help navigate your way to freedom?
DAY 6 - Quilt Patterns
Like songs, some people say that patterns on quilts contained secret messages to help fugitive slaves. Explore the following Web sites and do the following:
- You just passed a cabin in the woods that had a quilt made up of the Drunkard's Path pattern hanging on a clothesline for all to see.
- Draw and label the Drunkard's Path pattern in your journal.
- What does this pattern mean?
- How will it change the way you are traveling?
- Find at least two other quilt patterns.
- Draw these quilt patterns in your journal.
- Label them with their names and meanings.
ON THE ROAD
DAY 7 - Conductors on the Underground Railroad
There were many brave and important people, know as "conductors" who helped fugitive slaves make their way to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Read the following accounts of some of the most famous conductors:
Primary Documents - Interactive
Slavery Encyclopedia - click on names under Slave Accounts section
William Still