“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Araminta Ross, later known as Harriet Tubman went through multiple troubles in her life, but still lived a long, well-earned life. During the mid 1800’s in America, slaves made up a big percentage of the U.S. population. Around 1830, sixteen percent, or two million Americans were slaves. Within just thirty years, this percentage dropped by four percent. Although sixteen and twelve may not be big numbers, this number shows great value. This percentage dropped because Harriet Tubman, similar to several other “conductors” as they would be called, led hundreds of slaves out of their misery and into a brighter future. Not only did Harriet Tubman free slaves, but she also …show more content…
Harriet’s last few trips took a stretch of four-hundred eighty miles from Dorchester County, Maryland to St. Catherines in Canada and these trips took approximately more than 1 year each. In these cases, it was very complex for one person to lead five people out of slavery and journey along with them to freedom due to the Fugitive Slave Act that was passed in 1850 and many other factors as well. The Fugitive Slave Act was a main issue that conductors, like Harriet Tubman faced. Basically, this law says that Northerners have to turn in escaped slaves, and if they did not it would be considered against the law. In addition to this requirement, the government decided to give a cash prize for slaves. Some of these cash prizes were very particular. For example, if Harriet Tubman was found and turned her in, one would receive $40,000, which in today’s money is nearly one million dollars. After this law was passed, Abolitionists were turning in slaves despite their strong beliefs regarding slavery. This job of escorting slaves up north was not easy because the amount of factors that played a part in a successful trip were