How did the Underground Railroad worked?
2 Answers
It escorted slaves to the North or Canada where they were free from the yoke of slavery
Explanation:
It was basically based on private individuals providing food and shelter to the slave escapees, since they could provide these things on their own. They were also concealed and some like businessmen might have pretended that the slaves actually worked for them.
People opposed to slavery helped Slaves to escape at great risk to themselves by operating safe places and guides.
Explanation:
Guides called conductors would go down into the south to escort the escaping slaves to the north where they would be free. If the conductors were caught the conductors would be placed back into slavery or put into prison. Harriet Tubman was perhaps the famous of these conductors.
Safe houses called stations were operated in secret by people opposed to slavery. The escapees would be hidden in basements, secret rooms, and attics. The escaping slaves would be provided food, clothes, and shelter. Then the conductor would guide the slaves to the next safe house. The farmer or home owner put their possessions at risk. If the authorities caught someone "harboring" escaped slaves their homes would be confiscated and they could be put into prison.
In the beginning the underground railroad only had to reach to Pennsylvania. After the Fugative Slave Act of 1850 was passed exslaves were no longer safe any where in the US. After 1850 the underground railroad had to reach as far as Canada.
Everyone involved in the Underground Railroad did so at great risk.
The escaping slaves if caught would be whipped and returned to slavery, The known conductors had prices on their heads and they could be shot, imprisoned, and forced into slavery themselves. The station owners could lose everything they owned and be put into prison. Regardless of the risk freedom made the risk worth while.
