Essay On The Underground Railroad

496 Words2 Pages

On July 4, 1776, the representatives of thirteen American colonies got together and sign the Declaration of Independence; it indicated the independence of a brand new country: the United States. It is said in the document that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (15). Life, Liberty and pursuit for happiness was the right that given to all Americans. However, during that period of time, neither women nor colored people enjoyed the right that they should have. According the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database, “between 1525 and 1866, 12.5 million Africans were shipped to …show more content…

But why was the Underground Railroad seem to be a mystery? How did it help the slaves to escape all along the way and get to the North? Was the Underground Railroad important for the slaves? Among all the slaves escaping with the help of the Underground Railroad, the name Frederick Douglass stood out. He was called as “Underground Railroad Icon” who was “immediate, unconditional, and universal enfranchisement of the Black man, in every state in the Union” (8, 155). As a formal black slave, Douglass received higher praise than some other white abolitionist. It made people wonder his differences: what contribution did he made to the Underground Railroad, and to the anti-slavery progress? What did he experience and how did it shaped him to be one of the greatest black leader? This paper exams the history period before slavery was abolished in the United States; it explains why Underground Railroad was important for the slaves and what Frederick Douglass’ role in the Underground Railroad was. It also indicates the history trend for the abolishment of slavery in