Describe the Underground Railroad.
The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the 19th century. These routes were used to help enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in the North or Canada. The term "railroad" was used because of the code words and phrases that were used to communicate about the routes and safe houses, such as "stations," "conductors," and "passengers."
The Underground Railroad was primarily run by abolitionists, both black and white, who believed that slavery was immoral and worked to end it. Some famous conductors of the Underground Railroad include Harriet Tubman, Levi Coffin, and William Still. It is estimated that between 40,000 and 100,000 people were able to escape slavery through the Underground Railroad.
However, the escape from slavery was just one part of a larger struggle for freedom and equality. The Underground Railroad was just one aspect of the larger abolitionist movement, which also included legal challenges, political advocacy, and other forms of activism.