Throughout the course of American history, slavery has played an impactful role in the shaping of the United States. The abuse of slaves, the perspective of slaves as inferior, the controversy over the moral aspects of slavery, and the disagreement of slavery altogether led to uproars and unrest in America during the 19th century. Increasingly, the number of slaves who revolted against their masters grew, and concurrently, more citizens joined the abolitionists’ movement to end slavery. Due to these controversies and upheavals, the Civil War broke out. Many people played essential roles before and during the Civil War, but one woman especially stands out. Harriet Tubman, one of the best Underground Railroad conductors, greatly influenced the course of slavery in America through her brave trips to rescue hundreds of slaves and her heroic contributions in the Civil War to abolish slavery. Born around 1820 to Harriet and Ben Ross, Tubman’s original name was Araminta ‘Minty’ Ross. Later in her life, Tubman became known as Harriet, after her …show more content…
She took in orphans and the elderly and fed, provided shelter, and nursed them, despite her financial and health issues (“Tubman, Harriet” n.pag.). In the spring of 1898, Tubman bought land to build a home where needy and poor African Americans could find comfort and shelter, apart from her small home. In 1908, ten years later, the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged and Infirm Negroes opened its doors (Calkhoven 116). Tubman moved out of her own home and into the Harriet Tubman home for the remaining two years of her life (Calkhoven 117). Although Tubman’s body had given out, her spirits rallied high to the day she died. As Tubman succumbed to the pneumonia overpowering her body, she told her family just moments before she passed, “I go away to prepare a place for you” (Calkhoven 117). Tubman went to be with her Lord on March 10, 1913 (McHenry