The Underground Railroad

by Maria Bucukovska

 University at Buffalo Honors Program

Throughout history, systems of bondage have been present throughout the world.  Slaves have used numerous methods to free themselves of the inhumane conditions by which they have been coerced to live.  In the United States, the Underground Railroad was a prominent way of aiding the escape of slaves from the South.   

The Underground Railroad was an intricate system that incorporated a variety of individuals and resources to bring slaves to freedom.  It was most readily used during a very volatile time period in American history, the early to mid-1800's.  Although white abolitionists were significant contributors to the Underground Railroad, African Americans were the individuals who predominantly maintained and financially supported this system.  The fact that some were free and others were fugitives shows that the black supporters of the Underground Railroad had disparate backgrounds.  Some of the daring and courageous people who aided the escape of slaves included Harriet Tubman, David Ruggles, William Still, and Frederick Douglass.  Slaves felt the need to flee from the Southern plantations due to a myriad of reasons.  They traveled north along various routes, generally with the final destination being Canada.  Along their journey, code words such as "lines," "conductors," and "packages" were implemented to ensure protection of the slaves from slave catchers. 

The road to freedom was a challenging, yet worthwhile one for many determined fugitive slaves.  Sometimes, violence was necessary in escaping cruel captivity.  A variety of individuals, black, white, men, women, wealthy, and poor offered their assistance to runaways trekking along the Underground Railroad.  As a result of this system, bonds were formed among African Americans and whites, and thousands of grateful fugitives were finally free.     

 

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