The Trail to Freedom
The Underground Railroad was a series of safe houses were escaping slaves would hide and stay until they were able to move from slave to non-slave states. The Underground Railroad wasn’t actually underground. Due to the large amount of secrecy, it was called underground because it was hidden in plain sight. A series of conductors would meet slaves and help them cross rivers, streams, and lakes. The conductors were abolitionists seeking to help the slaves find freedom. The Underground Railroad reached its height from 1850-1860. It is estimated 100,000 slaves were able to escape using the secure network. The Underground Railroad was able to successfully save so many escaping slaves lives due to the determined abolitionists, the secret language and songs, and the sneaky routes and safe houses.
The determined abolitionist is one of the main reasons that the Underground Railroad was so successful. Abolitionists were seeking to abolish slavery. The majority of abolitionists were conductors, helping to lead escaping slaves make it to non-slave states. John Rankin and his wife, Jean, were well known conductors of the Underground Railroad. They had a house in Ripley, Ohio, near the Ohio River. The river marked the border between slave and non-slave states. Having these abolitionist's so close to the border helped the slaves reach non-slave states safer and faster, which increased their chance of survival. Rankin himself would signalled slave’s and help them across the Ohio River. Jean prepared food and a warm fire for the fugitive slaves who came through their home. Rankin was described as a “fearless abolitionist”, willing to take the risks for others. Rankin was so determined, he
…show more content…
Slave catchers were lurking everywhere, eerie dogs sniffing through every patch of dirt, there was only chance of survival, by having routes and safe