Weekly Online Lesson Online Lesson Archives Grade Level: 4-12 Subject: History

Aboard the Underground Railroad

One of the most unique and inspiring tales in American history is the story of the Underground Railroad. It wasn't an actual railroad, nor was it underground, but for many slaves in the southern states it meant a physical means of escape from bondage and the promise of freedom in the lands to the north. The stakes were high: people caught aiding runaway slaves were required to pay restitution to the owners and serve jail time, whereas recaptured slaves were severely beaten or killed as a warning to others.

The Underground Railroad is rich in historical significance. Included in its story are individuals like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, William Still, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, to name only a few. In this lesson you will visit sites that preserve the legacy of the Underground Railroad, read the story, learn about the people, listen to songs, and participate in the past.

The Underground Railroad site at UC Davis

The Underground Railroad site was written by Hazel Carrasco and Owen Solberg of UC Davis as part of the Rural Learning Network. When you visit the site, you will first see a table of contents. Start with the heading for Introduction to the Underground Railroad, which has links to What is the Underground Railroad?, The Abolitionist Movement, and The Fugitive Slave Bill of 1850.

Next, read the Personal Narratives and Literature selections, including Excerpts from Uncle Tom's Cabin and selections from Walt Whitman.

Complete your visit by viewing a map of Underground Railroad Routes in 1860. You will get a sense of the great distance these courageous and determined people had to travel—mostly on foot and during the night—to earn their freedom.

Our Shared History

Our Shared History is a site hosted by The National Park Service "celebrating African American history and culture." The site includes special Web Features and exhibits, including a special feature about the Underground Railroad. When you browse to the Underground Railroad site, click the link that reads In Search of Freedom, which contains a good overview of the history of the Underground Railroad as well as a chronology of events.

They've also put together a National Register Travel Itinerary that includes a list of historic Underground Railroad Sites maintained by NPS, with information about each.

"On and Underground Railroad"

If you are using a browser with RealPlayer installed, go to History Happens and listen to or watch this music video by Kinny Landrum. A combination of gospel and rap sounds, the song tells the story of the Underground Railroad. If you want to sing along, you can view the lyrics for "On an Underground Railroad", print them, and then go back and play it again.

If you don't have RealPlayer installed, you can get it here free.

North Star Foundation

The North Star Foundation (NSF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the documentation, preservation, and restoration of Underground Railroad safe-houses. NSF was created from historian Anthony Cohen's work on the Underground Railroad.

When you visit the North Star Foundation site, you can read Historical Background on the Underground Railroad and find resources for Underground Railroad research.

The best part of the North Star Foundation site is Anthony Cohen's Walk to Canada. In 1996 and again in 1998, Cohen followed the paths he had documented as escape routes. Follow his adventure by reading his reports from the road, dated from September 5th through November 13th.

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