How Did The Underground Railroad Contribute To The American Civil War?

How did hope shed the light of those shackled by slavery, and change the course of history, one literal step at a time? This is the Underground Railroad, one of which remains one of the most remarkable chapters in American history, a symbol of resilience and bravery among those who fought against the injustice of slavery. The Underground Railroad, a secret network of people, safe houses, and routes used in the 19th century to aid escaped enslaved individuals from the South and seek freedom. This essay explores the combined actions of abolitionists, free African Americans, and allies in the fight against slavery and how they contributed to the success of the Underground Railroad’s operations. This essay will go into detail of aspects of the

Abolitionists were the architects of the network, people like Levi Coffin, also known as the “President of the Underground Railroad”, provided leadership and were responsible in the formation of many of the safe houses such as churches and schoolhouses and routes that made up the Underground Railroad. On the other hand, free African Americans were important as they served as “conductors,” guiding escapees along the routes and providing them with shelter and other necessities (Onion, 2009). With their knowledge of the local area, they were perfect in assisting freedom seekers on their way to freedom. The collaborative effort between peers strengthened the operations of the railroad. The Underground Railroad was not a centralized organization, rather people from diverse backgrounds united for one common goal. Every conductor and operator in the mission of the Underground Railroad found their morale and solidarity through the commitment of aiding the escapees during their journey for

The Underground Railroad was a perilous journey faced by abolitionists, free African Americans, and allies supporting the cause. One of the biggest risks encountered during the operation was getting caught by the slave catchers after The Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850 were enacted, meaning they mandated the capture of escaped slaves, even from free states. The journey to freedom was hundreds of miles long and weather conditions were harsh, so members of the Railroad worked together to plan out safehouses with supplies every other mile or so (AllAboutTheUndergroundRailroad, 2010). People like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and John Brown played vital roles in doing their best (even if risking their lives) to make certain that everyone is safe during the journey (Onion, 2009). The courage and resilience displayed by the Underground Railroad not only led to successful escapes, but the effectiveness of the abolition of slavery through the solidarity they upheld. International connections and support were crucial to the success of the Underground Railroad. Specifically, Canada is known as the safe haven for those feeling their