The Underground Railroad takes place around 1850, the year of the Fugitive Slave Act’s passage. It makes explicit mention of the draconian legislation, which sought to ensnare runaways who’d settled in free states and inflict harsh punishments on those who assisted escapees.
What is the timeline of the Underground Railroad?
- Underground Railroad Timeline. Timeline Description: The Underground Railroad (1790s to 1860s) was a linked network of individuals willing and able to help fugitive slaves escape to safety. They hid individuals in cellars, basements and barns, provided food and supplies, and helped to move escaped slaves from place to place.
When did the Underground Railroad began and end?
The Underground Railroad was formed in the early 19th century and reached its height between 1850 and 1860.
What timeline was the Underground Railroad?
Timeline Description: The Underground Railroad ( 1790s to 1860s ) was a linked network of individuals willing and able to help fugitive slaves escape to safety. They hid individuals in cellars, basements and barns, provided food and supplies, and helped to move escaped slaves from place to place.
Is the Underground Railway Series a true story?
Adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-award-winning novel, The Underground Railroad is based on harrowing true events. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the new Amazon Prime series is a loyal adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name.
When did the Underground Railroad began?
system used by abolitionists between 1800-1865 to help enslaved African Americans escape to free states.
Does the Underground Railroad still exist?
It includes four buildings, two of which were used by Harriet Tubman. Ashtabula County had over thirty known Underground Railroad stations, or safehouses, and many more conductors. Nearly two-thirds of those sites still stand today.
Is there a second season of Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad Season 2 won’t come in 2021 Whether the series is renewed or not, we’ve got some bad news when it comes to the release date. The Underground Railroad Season 2 won’t come in 2021. There simply isn’t enough time to get through all the stages of production now.
How many slaves were freed from the Underground Railroad?
The total number of runaways who used the Underground Railroad to escape to freedom is not known, but some estimates exceed 100,000 freed slaves during the antebellum period. Those involved in the Underground Railroad used code words to maintain anonymity.
What did Isaac Hopper do for the Underground Railroad?
Anti-slavery sentiment was particularly prominent in Philadelphia, where Isaac Hopper, a convert to Quakerism, established what one author called “the first operating cell of the abolitionist underground.” In addition to hiding runaways in his own home, Hopper organized a network of safe havens and cultivated a web of
What happened during the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad was a secret system developed to aid fugitive slaves on their escape to freedom. Involvement with the Underground Railroad was not only dangerous, but it was also illegal. The safe houses used as hiding places along the lines of the Underground Railroad were called stations.
Were there tunnels in the Underground Railroad?
Contrary to popular belief, the Underground Railroad was not a series of underground tunnels. While some people did have secret rooms in their houses or carriages, the vast majority of the Underground Railroad involved people secretly helping people running away from slavery however they could.
Was Valentine farm a real place?
The article uses the novel’s example of Valentine Farm, a fictional 1850s black settlement in Indiana where protagonist Cora lands after her rescue from a fugitive slave catcher by Royal, a freeborn black radical and railroad agent.
What states did the Underground Railroad go through?
These were called “stations,” “safe houses,” and “depots.” The people operating them were called “stationmasters.” There were many well-used routes stretching west through Ohio to Indiana and Iowa. Others headed north through Pennsylvania and into New England or through Detroit on their way to Canada.
Why did so many runaway slaves go to Canada in the 1850’s?
In the 1850s and 1860s, British North America became a popular refuge for slaves fleeing the horrors of plantation life in the American South. In all 30,000 slaves fled to Canada, many with the help of the underground railroad – a secret network of free blacks and white sympathizers who helped runaways.
How long did the Underground Railroad take to travel?
The journey would take him 800 miles and six weeks, on a route winding through Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York, tracing the byways that fugitive slaves took to Canada and freedom.
When was the Underground Railroad most active?
Established in the early 1800s and aided by people involved in the Abolitionist Movement, the underground railroad helped thousands of slaves escape bondage. By one estimate, 100,000 slaves escaped from bondage in the South between 1810 and 1850.
The Underground Railroad (miniseries) – Wikipedia
| The Underground Railroad | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Created by | Barry Jenkins |
| Based on | The Underground RailroadbyColson Whitehead |
| Directed by | Barry Jenkins |
| Starring |
- Thuso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Joel Edgerton, Fred Hechinger, Peter Mullan, Mychal-Bella Bowman, and Sheila Atim are among those who have contributed to this work.
| Composer | Nicholas Britell |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No.of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
- Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner are among the actors that have appeared in the film.
| Cinematography | James Laxton |
|---|---|
| Running time | 20–77 minutes |
| Production companies |
- Plan B Entertainment, Pastel Productions, Big Indie Pictures, and Amazon Studios are among the companies involved.
| Release | |
|---|---|
| Original network | Amazon Prime Video |
| Original release | May 14, 2021 |
| External links | |
| Website |
Plan B Entertainment, Pastel Productions, Big Indie Pictures, and Amazon Studios are just a few of the companies that have signed on to work on projects.
Premise
A fictional narrative about persons seeking to emigrate from slavery in the southern United States during the 1800s, with a crucial plot aspect that exploits the literary style of magic realism as its foundation. Actually, “The Underground Railroad” was a network of Abolitionists, secret passageways, and safe homes that assisted enslaved African-Americans in escaping to freedom from slavery during the early to mid-1800s period. The railroad depicted in the novel and series is a real one, replete with engineers, conductors, tracks, and tunnels, as well as passengers.
Cast
- In addition to Thuso Mbedu as Cora Randall, the cast includes Chase W. Dillon as Homer, Ridgeway’s helper
- Joel Edgerton as Arnold Ridgeway, a slave catcher
- Fred Hechingeras Young Arnold Ridgeway
- Peter Mullanas Ridgeway Senior, Arnold Ridgeway’s father
- And Peter Mullanas Ridgeway Junior. Fanny Briggs/Grace is played by Mychal-Bella Bowman, while Mabel is played by Sheila Atimas.
Recurring
- Among those who appear are Aaron Pierreas Caesar Garner, William Jackson Harperas Royal, Lily Rabeas Ethel Wells, and Chukwudi Iwujias Mingo. Also appearing are Calvin Leon Smith as Jasper, Damiman Herrimanas Martin Wells, Amber Grayas Gloria Valentine, Benjamin Walkeras Terrance Randall, Justice Leakas James Randall, Lucius Bastonas Prideful, Owen Harn as Chandler, Bri Collins as Olivia
Episodes
A limited series adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel The Underground Railroad was announced on September 16, 2016, with Barry Jenkins serving as the executive producer. Jenkins was slated to co-produce the series with Adele Romanski, according to reports. Plan B Entertainment was among the production groups who were expected to be involved in the series. On March 27, 2017, it was revealed that Amazon Video has granted the production a commitment to develop the screenplay into a television series.
In June of this year, composer Nicholas Britella stated that he will be working on the series.
Casting
Thomso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Aaron Pierre, and Joel Edgerton were all cast members of the series in April of this year. In August of this year, the series welcomed two new cast members: Damon Herriman and William Jackson Harper, who will appear in recurring roles. A recurring character was added to the series’ roster in September 2019 when Lucius Baston joined the ensemble cast. Amber Gray joined the cast of the series as a recurring character in October of this year. In November of this year, Jim Klock joined the cast of the show in a recurring role as a writer.
The casting of Fred Hechinger and the rest of the ensemble was revealed in February 2020.
Filming
Filming began in August 2019 in Savannah, Georgia, and it was completed on September 22, 2020, after a total of 116 days on the set of the film.
Release
The Underground Railroadwill be available on Amazon Prime Video on May 14, 2021, following its theatrical premiere.
Reception
According to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film had a 94 percent approval rating based on 90 critic reviews, with an average rating of 8.78/10. It is said on The Underground Railroad’s official website that the reviewers’ opinion is that “with a terrific cast and Barry Jenkins’ distinctive eye, The Underground Railroaddelicatelytranslates its source material into a deeply humanistic series that is both challenging and vital.” Meticulous evaluations from 35 critics resulted in a weighted average score of 92 out of 100 for the series, signifying “universal acclaim,” according to Metacritic.
Alan Sepinwall, writing a review for Rolling Stone, awarded the series a grade of 4/5 and described the series as follows: “unfinished interpretation of a terrible and expansive topic Nonetheless, the film’s emotional highs and lows are more intense than anything else you’re going to see on television this year, and the pictures are both more beautiful and terrifying.” “Jenkins has collected an excellent ensemble, including William Jackson Harper as Cora’s love interest, Royal, and Lily Rabe, who chills the screen as Ethel, the wife of a North Carolina abolitionist (Damon Herriman),” said Stephen Robinson of The A.V.
Club in his review of the series.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series | Barry Jenkins | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Directing, TV Movie/Limited Series | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Writing, TV Movie/Limited Series | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series | Thuso Mbedu | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series | William Jackson Harper | Nominated | |||
| Gotham Awards | Breakthrough Series – Long Format | The Underground Railroad | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Performance in a New Series | Thuso Mbedu | Won | |||
| Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards | Best Streaming Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Live-Action Television Movie | The Underground Railroad | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie | Joel Edgerton | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie | Thuso Mbedu | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie | William Jackson Harper | Nominated | |||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series | Barry Jenkins,Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak,Brad Pitt,Dede Gardner,Jeremy Kleiner,Colson Whitehead, Richard Heus, Jacqueline Hoyt and Richleigh Heagh | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Barry Jenkins | Nominated | |||
| Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Francine Maisler and Meagan Lewis | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | James Laxton(for “Chapter 9: Indiana Winter”) | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie, or Special (Original Dramatic Score) | Nicholas Britell(for “Chapter 2: South Carolina”) | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie, or Special | Onnalee Blank, Chris Kahwaty, Katy Wood, Bryan Parker, Jay Jennings, Harry Cohen, Luke Gibleon, Pietu Korhonen, John Finklea and Heikki Kossi(for “Chapter 9: Indiana Winter”) | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Onnalee Blank, Mathew Waters, Joe White and Kari Vähäkuopus(for “Chapter 1: Georgia”) | Nominated | |||
| Television Critics Association Awards | Program of the Year | The Underground Railroad | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials | Nominated | ||||
| Individual Achievement in Drama | Thuso Mbedu | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | Critics’ Choice Television Awards | Best Limited Series | The Underground Railroad | Pending | |
| Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries | Thuso Mbedu | Pending | |||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries | William Jackson Harper | Pending | |||
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Miniseries or Television Film | The Underground Railroad | Pending | ||
| Independent Spirit Awards | Best New Scripted Series | The Underground Railroad | Pending | ||
| Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series | Thuso Mbedu | Pending |
See also
- Underground (television series)
- A list of films that contain scenes of enslavement
References
- THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BEGINS TO BE SHOOTED BY JAMES LAXTON. Lux Artists is a collective of artists based in New York City. The date is June 4, 2019. On June 13, 2020, Stephen Robinson was able to be retrieved (May 5, 2021). “Barry Jenkins outdoes himself in the magnificent Underground Railroad,” says the New York Times critic. The A.V. Club is an acronym for the American Video Club. Obtainable on May 13, 2021
- Abc Nellie and Andreeva (June 5, 2018). Amazon has given the greenlight to Barry JenkinsPlan B’s limited series “Underground Railroad,” in which Jenkins will direct all 11 episodes. Deadline Hollywood. “The Underground Railroad,” which was retrieved on June 5, 2018. The Writers Guild of America, Western Region. “The Underground Railroad – Listings,” which was retrieved on April 9, 2021. The Futon Critic is a fictional character created by the Futon Critic. Nellie Andreieva, Nellie Andreieva, Nellie Andreieva (September 17, 2016). According to Deadline Hollywood, “Plan B” author Barry Jenkins will adapt the popular novel “Underground Railroad” into a limited series. On June 5, 2018, Nellie Andreeva was able to get a hold of her information (March 27, 2017). Barry Jenkins’ ‘Underground Railroad’ limited series has been acquired by Amazon, according to Deadline. Retrieved June 5, 2018
- Grobar, Matt (June 4, 2019). On June 13, 2020, Deadline published an article titled “‘Succession’ Composer Nicholas Britell Channels “Darkess and Absurdity” of Power-Hungry Elite,” which can be seen here (April 16, 2019). Three main cast members have been cast in Barry Jenkins’ Underground Railroad series on Amazon, according to the article. Variety. Joe Otterson’s article from April 16, 2019 was retrieved (April 18, 2019). Joel Edgerton will star in Barry Jenkins’ Amazon series “Underground Railroad” (exclusive)”, according to the press release. Variety. Denise Petski (Petski, Denise) retrieved on April 18, 2019
- (August 16, 2019). “Damon Herriman Joins ‘Underground Railroad,’ and Catherine Haena Kim Joins ‘Ballers,'” Deadline, August 22, 2019
- Petski, Denise, “Damon Herriman Joins ‘Underground Railroad,'” Deadline, August 22, 2019
- (August 22, 2019). “‘The Underground Railroad’: William Jackson Harper to Recur On Amazon Series”. Deadline. Retrieved August 22, 2019
- Pellegreene, Lisa. “‘The Underground Railroad’: William Jackson Harper to Recur On Amazon Series” (November 28, 2019). In this episode, “Lucius Baston addresses a variety of projects, including ‘Bigger, Lovecraft Country,’ and ‘The Underground Railroad.'” Evans, Greg (November 28, 2019). Patch. Retrieved November 28, 2019. (October 24, 2019). On October 24, 2019, Deadline published an article titled “‘The Underground Railroad’: Broadway’s Amber Gray Joins Amazon Limited Series” (November 1, 2019). In “’13 Reasons Why’s Bryce Cassel is a cast member of Amazon’s “Panic,” while Jim Klock appears in “The Underground Railroad,” Deadline. RetrievedJune 13, 2020
- Petski, Denise (January 22, 2020). Deadline published an article titled “‘The Underground Railroad’: Lily Rabe to Recur on Amazon Series” on January 22, 2020 that was retrieved on January 22, 2020. (February 27, 2020). Fred Hechinger will star in the Amazon drama series “The Underground Railroad,” which premiered on June 13, 2020. Sneider, Jeff (February 25, 2021): “Barry Jenkins’ ‘The Underground Railroad’ Unveils First Trailer and Release Date.” Deadline. Retrieved June 13, 2020. Collider. “Now Playing: ‘Underground Railroad,’ the latest Amazon Prime series shot in Savannah,” according to the Associated Press on May 7, 2021. WJCL will take place on May 18, 2021. Dennis, Zachary (August 10, 2021)
- Dennis, Zachary (August 10, 2021)
- (February 26, 2021). “The Underground Railroad, a Savannah-shot drama, will make its Amazon Prime premiere on May 14.” Savannah Right Now. Tyler Hersko’s article from August 10, 2021 was retrieved (September 22, 2020). A 116-day production on “Underground Railroad” was completed by director Barry Jenkins. IndieWire. The date of retrieval is August 10, 2021
- Haring, Bruce (February 25, 2021). “The premiere date for the Amazon Prime Limited Series ‘The Underground Railroad’ has been set.” Deadline. “The Underground Railroad: Limited Series,” which was released on February 25, 2021, was retrieved. Rotten Tomatoes is a website dedicated to reviewing and rating movies and television shows. “The Underground Railroad: Season 1” was released on June 2, 2021, and can be found on Netflix. Metacritic. Alan Sepinwall’s article from June 2, 2021 was retrieved (May 10, 2021). On May 13, 2021, Rolling Stone published “‘The Underground Railroad’: Barry Jenkins’ Gorgeous Journey Into American Darkness”. On May 13, 2021, Rolling Stone published “Black Reel Awards for Television 2021: Plenty of “Love” in the Heart of the Country!” The Black Reel Awards will take place on June 17, 2021. The date of retrieval is August 10, 2021
- Lattanzio, Ryan (November 30, 2021). “The Lost Daughter” takes home the top prize at the Gotham Awards – see the complete list of winners.” IndieWire. Sharp, Zack (November 30, 2021)
- Retrieved from (October 21, 2021). “Pig,’ ‘Green Knight,’ and ‘Passing’ are among the nominees for the Gotham Awards in the Best Feature category in 2021.” IndieWire. Menzel, Scott (November 27, 2021)
- Retrieved on November 27, 2021. (July 9, 2021). “Ted Lasso, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist top the first-ever HCA Television Awards nominations,” reports Variety. Affiliation of the Hollywood Critics Association. Schmidt, Michael (July 11, 2021)
- RetrievedJuly 11, 2021
- (August 29, 2021). Hear more about the winners of the HCA Television Awards, including “Ted Lasso, ” “The Crown,” “The Mandalorian,” “Cruel Summer,” and “New Amsterdam.” Variety. Hipes, Patrick (August 30, 2021)
- Retrieved from (July 13, 2021). HBO/HBO Max edged Netflix for the top spot in the Emmy nominations, according to the full list of nominees. “Emmy Nominations: ‘The Crown’ and ‘The Mandalorian’ Top List
- HBO/HBO Max Edges Netflix For Top Spot – Full List Of Nominees.” Deadline. The date of retrieval is July 13, 2021
- Turchiano, Danielle (July 15, 2021). “‘Ted Lasso’ receives the greatest number of TCA Award nominations for the year 2021.” Variety. Pedersen, Eric (July 16, 2021)
- Retrieved July 16, 2021
- (December 6, 2021). As reported in “Critics’ Choice TV Nominations: ‘Succession’ leads the field, with HBO edging out Netflix.” Deadline Hollywood. Matt Webb Mitovich, Matt Webb Mitovich, Matt Webb Mitovich (December 13, 2021). Nominations for the Golden Globes: Succession, Morning Show, and Ted Lasso lead the television pack. TVLine. The date of retrieval was December 15, 2021
- Long, Brent
- Tangcay, Jazz (December 14, 2021). Nominations for the Indie Spirit Awards 2022 have been released in their entirety. Variety. 14th of December, 2021
- Retrieved
Notes
- The only episodes in which she is credited are episodes 4, 7, and 10. She is not credited for any episodes in which she appears in the show’s other episodes.
External links
- Official website
- The Underground RailroadatIMDb
- The Underground RailroadatRotten Tomatoes
- The Underground
Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad was a network of people, both black and white, who helped escaped enslaved persons from the southern United States by providing them with refuge and assistance. It came forth as a result of the convergence of numerous separate covert initiatives. Although the exact dates of its inception are unknown, it was active from the late 18th century until the Civil War, after which its attempts to weaken the Confederacy were carried out in a less-secretive manner until the Civil War ended.
Quaker Abolitionists
The Society of Friends (Quakers) is often regarded as the first organized group to actively assist escaped enslaved persons. In 1786, George Washington expressed dissatisfaction with Quakers for attempting to “liberate” one of his enslaved servants. Abolitionist and Quaker Isaac T. Hopper established a network in Philadelphia in the early 1800s to assist enslaved persons who were on the run from slavery. Abolitionist organisations founded by Quakers in North Carolina lay the basis for escape routes and safe havens for fugitive slaves during the same time period.
What Was the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad was first mentioned in 1831, when an enslaved man named Tice Davids managed to escape from Kentucky into Ohio and his master blamed a “underground railroad” for assisting Davids in his liberation. When a fugitive slave called Jim was apprehended in 1839 in Washington, the press said that the guy confessed his plan to travel north along a “underground railroad to Boston” while under torture. The Vigilance Committees, which were established in New York in 1835 and Philadelphia in 1838 to safeguard escaped enslaved persons from bounty hunters, rapidly expanded their duties to include guiding enslaved individuals on the run.
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: Harriet Tubman and her fellow fugitives used the following strategies to escape through the Underground Railroad:
How the Underground Railroad Worked
The majority of enslaved persons aided by the Underground Railroad were able to flee to neighboring states like as Kentucky, Virginia, and Maryland. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 made catching fugitive enslaved persons a lucrative industry in the deep South, and there were fewer hiding places for them as a result of the Act. The majority of fugitive enslaved people were on their own until they reached specific places farther north. The escaping enslaved people were escorted by individuals known as “conductors.” Private residences, churches, and schools were also used as hiding places throughout the war.
The personnel in charge of running them were referred to as “stationmasters.” There were several well-traveled roads that ran west through Ohio and into Indiana and Iowa.
While some traveled north via Pennsylvania and into New England, or through Detroit on their route to Canada, others chose to travel south. The Little-Known Underground Railroad That Ran South to Mexico.
Fugitive Slave Acts
The Fugitive Slave Acts were a major cause for many fugitive slaves to flee to Canada. This legislation, which was passed in 1793, authorized local governments to catch and extradite fugitive enslaved individuals from inside the borders of free states back to their places of origin, as well as to penalize anybody who assisted the fleeing enslaved people. Personal Liberty Laws were introduced in certain northern states to fight this, but they were overturned by the Supreme Court in 1842. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was intended to reinforce the preceding legislation, which was perceived by southern states to be insufficiently enforced at the time of passage.
The northern states were still considered a danger zone for fugitives who had managed to flee.
Some Underground Railroad operators chose to station themselves in Canada and sought to assist fugitives who were arriving to settle in the country.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was the most well-known conductor of the Underground Railroad during its heyday. When she and two of her brothers fled from a farm in Maryland in 1849, she was given the name Harriet (her married name was Tubman). She was born Araminta Ross, and she was raised as Harriet Tubman. They returned a couple of weeks later, but Tubman fled on her own again shortly after, this time making her way to the state of Pennsylvania. In following years, Tubman returned to the plantation on a number of occasions to rescue family members and other individuals.
Tubman was distraught until she had a vision of God, which led her to join the Underground Railroad and begin escorting other fugitive slaves to the Maryland state capital.
Frederick Douglass
In his house in Rochester, New York, former enslaved person and celebrated author Frederick Douglasshid fugitives who were assisting 400 escapees in their journey to freedom in Canada. Reverend Jermain Loguen, a former fugitive who lived in the adjacent city of Syracuse, assisted 1,500 escapees on their journey north. The Vigilance Committee was established in Philadelphia in 1838 by Robert Purvis, an escaped enslaved person who later became a trader. Josiah Henson, a former enslaved person and railroad operator, founded the Dawn Institute in Ontario in 1842 to assist fugitive slaves who made their way to Canada in learning the necessary skills to find work.
Agent,” according to the document.
John Parker was a free Black man living in Ohio who worked as a foundry owner and who used his rowboat to ferry fugitives over the Ohio River.
William Still was a notable Philadelphia citizen who was born in New Jersey to runaway slaves parents who fled to Philadelphia as children.
Who Ran the Underground Railroad?
The vast majority of Underground Railroad operators were regular individuals, including farmers and business owners, as well as preachers and religious leaders. Some affluent individuals were active, including Gerrit Smith, a billionaire who stood for president on two separate occasions. Smith acquired a full family of enslaved people from Kentucky in 1841 and freed them from their captivity. Levi Coffin, a Quaker from North Carolina, is credited with being one of the first recorded individuals to assist escaped enslaved persons.
Coffin stated that he had discovered their hiding spots and had sought them out in order to assist them in moving forward.
Coffin eventually relocated to Indiana and then Ohio, where he continued to assist fugitive enslaved individuals no matter where he was.
John Brown
Abolitionist John Brown worked as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and it was at this time that he founded the League of Gileadites, which was dedicated to assisting fleeing enslaved individuals in their journey to Canada. Abolitionist John Brown would go on to play a variety of roles during his life. His most well-known duty was conducting an assault on Harper’s Ferry in order to raise an armed army that would march into the deep south and free enslaved people at gunpoint. Ultimately, Brown’s forces were beaten, and he was executed for treason in 1859.
- The year 1844, he formed a partnership with Vermont schoolteacher Delia Webster, and the two were jailed for assisting an escaped enslaved lady and her young daughter.
- Charles Torrey was sentenced to six years in jail in Maryland for assisting an enslaved family in their attempt to flee through Virginia.
- After being apprehended in 1844 while transporting a boatload of freed slaves from the Caribbean to the United States, Massachusetts sea captain Jonathan Walker was sentenced to prison for life.
- John Fairfield of Virginia turned down the opportunity to assist in the rescue of enslaved individuals who had been left behind by their families as they made their way north.
- He managed to elude capture twice.
End of the Line
Operation of the Underground Railroad came to an end in 1863, during the American Civil War. In actuality, its work was shifted aboveground as part of the Union’s overall campaign against the Confederate States of America. Once again, Harriet Tubman made a crucial contribution by organizing intelligence operations and serving as a commanding officer in Union Army efforts to rescue the liberated enslaved people who had been freed.
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: Harriet Tubman led a daring Civil War raid after the Underground Railroad was shut down.
Sources
Bound for Canaan: The Epic Story of the Underground Railroad is a book about the Underground Railroad. Fergus Bordewich is a Scottish actor. A Biography of Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom Catherine Clinton is the first lady of the United States. Who Exactly Was in Charge of the Underground Railroad? ‘Henry Louis Gates’ is a pseudonym for Henry Louis Gates. The Underground Railroad’s History in New York is a little known fact. The Smithsonian Institution’s magazine. The Underground Railroad’s Dangerous Allure is well documented.
Is Amazon’s ‘The Underground Railroad’ Based on a True Story?
It’s only been four years since Barry Jenkins made his mark on Hollywood with the film “Moonlight,” and now he’s making his mark on television with the Amazon series “The Underground Railroad,” which is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead and directed by Jenkins. Jeff Jenkins directed all ten episodes of the television show, and his work is evident – the episode “The Underground Railroad” is a true masterpiece. It tells the story of Cora (Thuso Mbedu), a young slave who escapes from a plantation in Georgia and embarks on a long and arduous journey across several states while being pursued by a determined slave catcher named Ridgeway (Joel Edgerton).
Because “The Underground Railroad” is set in the antebellum South, you might be wondering if the narrative that inspired the film is based on a true story.
Neither this program nor Whitehead’s novel is a true story; both are fictional works of fiction.
However, as was the case with another recent Amazon series, “Them,” which was inspired by the actual history of housing discrimination in the mid-20th century, “The Underground Railroad” is exploiting its location to make a point, much like the situation with another recent Amazon series, “Them.” Alternatively, a succession of points.
“If you want to have a sense of what this country is all about, you have to take the train.” If you only glance outside while driving fast, you’ll see the actual face of America.” What we have as a result of this is a sequence of chapters that demonstrate some of the various expressions of racism towards Black people in America, both historically and in the contemporary era.
They don’t bother with pretense in North Carolina, instead launching a Nazi-style operation to eliminate every Black person who happens to be discovered on its soil.
It’s just that, in contrast to most allegories, this one is actually about what it’s actually about, rather than attempting to obscure the truth.
This is essentially a journey through a fantasy version of the world that has been amplified. What it really is, though, is a fantastical vision of the world that is lot closer to reality — and hence much more relatable — than anything like “Harry Potter” or “His Dark Materials.”
The harrowing true story behind Amazon’s The Underground Railroad
23:24 UTC on May 24, 2021 | Last updated on May 24, 2021, 17:25 UTC on May 24, 2021 The Underground Railroad, a novel by Colson Whitehead, has been made into an Amazon Prime television series. Image courtesy of Amazon Prime Video The Underground Railroad is an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and is based on actual events that took place during the Civil War. The new Amazon Prime series, directed by Barry Jenkins and based on Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name, is a faithful adaptation of the novel.
The ten-parter chronicles the narrative of Cora, a runaway slave who grew up on the Randall farm in Georgia and eventually fled.
READ MORE: Who is the actress who portrays Cora in The Underground Railroad?
Take a look at the real-life events that served as inspiration for the Amazon Prime Video series.
What was the Underground Railroad?
Despite its name, the Underground Railroad was not a railway nor an underground network; rather, it was a collection of networks and routes used by enslaved people to flee from their captors and plantation owners. In collaboration with abolitionist sympathizers, the railroad network comprised of secret routes and meeting spots, as well as safe homes referred to as “stations” and other safe havens. Because there were no printed maps or directions, abolitionist sympathizers and slaves were responsible for communicating the routes.
- They included free-born Black people, those who had been enslaved in the past, white supporters, and Native Americans among their ranks.
- After escaping herself, she went on to take part in hundreds of operations to aid others in their quest for freedom throughout the north of the country.
- The voyage was not without its dangers.
- When the Pearl episode occurred in 1848, it was the greatest slave escape attempt in United States history, with a total of 77 slaves attempting to depart Washington D.C.
- Despite their efforts, a steamboat on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland was able to take the boat, and the slaves were sold to traffickers and sent to the Deep South as a result of the incident.
The Underground Railroad is based on a true story about a hidden network that was set up to assist slaves in their attempts to elude capture. Image courtesy of Amazon Prime Video
Who set the network up?
William Still, a Black abolitionist who lived in Philadelphia during the abolitionist movement’s early years, is generally referred to be the “founder of the Underground Railroad.” During his height, it is reported that Still assisted as many as 60 slaves every month in their escape by giving his home as a safe haven. A key role in the establishment of the railroad was also performed by Quaker Isaac T Hopper. Hopper, a tailor by profession who lived in Philadelphia, contributed to the establishment of a network of safe houses and spies in order to track down the activities and intentions of runaway slave hunters.
Where did the Underground Railroad start and end?
The network stretched across 14 northern states and connected them all to “the promised land,” which was actually Canada.
How many slaves escaped via the network?
It is believed that over 100,000 slaves utilized the Underground Railroad to flee their enslavers during the American Civil War. Netflix has made The Underground Railroad accessible for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: Here’s when and where you can watch The Friends Reunion in the United Kingdom.
‘Their stories need to be told’: the true story behind The Underground Railroad
Don’t be deceived by the railway carriage’s appearance. A railroad museum may be situated within one, however the content of the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum has nothing to do with railroads. Its original origins may be traced across the street to the Pamlico River, which was formerly utilized as a route of escape by enslaved African Americans seeking freedom in the 19th century. The museum’s cofounder and executive director, Leesa Jones, explains that after reading a slew of documents and old slave ads from Washington newspapers that would say things like, “My slave has escaped, they’re going to try to get to Washington in order to board a ship to get to their freedom,” they realized that they wanted to tell an accurate story about how freedom seekers left from the Washington waterfront.
- Jones points out that the first misconception many have about the underground railroad is that it was a system of subterranean trains, tunnels, and platforms that branched out like the London Underground or the New York subway.
- There actually existed a network of hidden routes and safe homes that thousands of enslaved persons used to travel from the southern United States to the free states and Canada during the early and mid-19th centuries.
- The Underground Railroad, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead published in 2016, examined the divide between the real and the metaphorical by reimagining genuine trains booming beneath the soil.
- However, in addition to depicting cotton fields, plantations, and forests, it is as effective in depicting subterranean steam trains that provide a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.
- I don’t want a blue screen of death.
- It had everything to do with the time, the place, and the fact that they were chatting in code.
- For example, a depot may have been anything other than a railroad station; it could have been a graveyard, a river, a barn, or a location in the woods.
As a result, individuals were free to talk about it, and those who overheard the conversation may have assumed they were talking about a railroad line or a train station, which they were not talking about.
Tracks and trains aren’t the only thing that people have misconceptions about.
Political influence and legal help were provided by African-Americans with access to education and resources, such as Robert Purvis and William Whipper, both of whom were from Philadelphia.
Photograph courtesy of MPI/Getty Images “In many of the narratives that you read, the abolitionists appear to be the heroes, and, without taking anything away from their noble deeds, what the freedom seekers accomplished is underestimated,” Jones adds.
Their situation was not that of helpless slaves on a plantation, waiting for the white abolitionists to arrive and take them away.
Thinking about the freedom seekers and the stories they recounted after achieving freedom, it becomes clear who the true hero of the story was very fast.
A tear fell from Jones’s eye during the film Harriet, which was released in 2019 and starred Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman, one of the most well-known conductors of the subterranean railroad.
While she is not a fan of Whitehead’s use of artistic license, she is looking forward to watching the Amazon version and participating in the discussion that it will elicit.
According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution, the most organized networks were in Pennsylvania and New York, with many of them centered on local churches.
Free Black people who liberated enslaved individuals from plantations in Maryland and Virginia ran an underground railroad station near the US Capitol in Washington, which was managed by free Black people.
‘One has to pay particular attention to the Black communities in the northern hemisphere, since they are the foot troops of this movement,’ he explains.
Image courtesy of Kyle Kaplan/Amazon Studios It was they who ensured that people were securely hidden, who resisted attempts to apprehend fugitives, who showed up at court hearings, who spent cold nights standing outside these hearings to ensure that people were not sent away before the hearing was completed.” Understanding the underground railroad requires an understanding of the people who worked on the network.
We must also remember those whites, notably attorneys, who took the lead in defending these fugitive slaves in the courtrooms of the northern states.
The extent of the brutality and persecution, as well as the deliberate efforts to return freedom seekers to servitude, are still not completely appreciated by the international community.
It was a risky move on their part.
These individuals are fleeing their homes, their families, and the locations that they are familiar with in an attempt to gain their freedom. It dawned on me that one must grasp their notion of freedom via their actions in order for freedom to become both a goal and an action.”
- A new episode of Amazon Prime’s The Underground Railroad is now available.
What To Expect From Amazon’s New Series “The Underground Railroad”
Featured image courtesy of Amazon Studios. Warning: There will be descriptions of violence and light spoilers in this section. In the case of Amazon Prime’s newest drama, The Underground Railroad, individuals who are familiar with the mythical slavery escape mechanism that has been recalled throughout history are completely mistaken. Based on the 2016 novel by Colson Whitehead and directed by Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins, this 10-episode limited series transports viewers to an alternate reality in which abolitionist Harriet Tubman was not the person responsible for leading slaves seeking freedom to safety points along specific routes while on foot.
- Although The Underground Railroad is a retelling of the well-known American slavery and slave trade tale, the film does not gloss over the horrors that occurred during that time period.
- In the face of repeated attempts by a fellow slave called Caesar Garner (Aaron Pierre) to persuade her to accompany him on an escape, she resists, claiming that the plantation is where she belongs.
- But what follows is a gory, but historically accurate portrayal of the American slave trade as it existed in the nineteenth century, which is carried out in part by slave catcher Arnold Ridgeway (Joel Edgerton) and his helper Homer (Chase W.
- In its representation of slavery-era brutality, The Underground Railroad is unafraid to be graphic, as seen by the opening 35 minutes of the series.
- Huge Anthony’s flesh is bloodily torn open by whips, and his body is set flame in close-up images.
- Cora’s journey never fails to serve as a constant reminder that slavery, in its most basic form, is fundamentally brutal.
- Beyond the physical suffering that individuals who are enslaved experience, slavery is laced with violence on an unprecedented scale.
- Even the pro-slavery Southerners who appear to gain from the existence of slaves are laying the groundwork for the long-term prejudice that has reverberated throughout history and continues to affect society and the African-American community today, according to historians.
- Cora’s trip on the Underground Railroad brings home that truth, making it a fact viewers will never forget as they encounter her allies and adversaries along the way.
Amazon Prime has made all ten episodes of The Underground Railroad available for streaming.
What was the Underground Railroad? The real history that inspired the Amazon drama
Amazon Prime Video series to be released in the near future “The Underground Railroad” is a film adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s alternate history novel of the same name, which is set in nineteenth-century America. As a nod to the real-life Underground Railroad, which served as a route of safe houses and anti-slavery activists who guided fleeing slaves to safety, the novel and subsequent television series fictionalizes the eponymous “railroad” as a literal rail transportation system, complete with train tracks and tunnels, that runs through the American South.
Thuso Mbedu portrays Cora, an escaped slave who is the main character of the story.
What was the Underground Railroad?
Slave escapees utilized the genuine Underground Railroad (also known as the “freedom train”), which was an extensive network of safe homes and hidden passageways that brought them north into free states or Canada. By the mid-19th century, it is believed that over 100,000 slaves had escaped bondage via the use of this network. Amazon Studios is a production company based in Seattle, Washington. Neither an actual railroad (as fictionalized in Colson Whitehead’s novel) nor a network of underground places or ghost train stops comprised the Underground Railroad.
Conductors (guides) and Stations (hiding sites) were among the code names and words that were used as part of the network, as were Station Masters (those who hid slaves in their houses).
It was critical that the guides, also known as “conductors,” had a part in the Underground Railroad’s success since it was exclusively conveyed through word of mouth — there were no tangible maps or official headquarters.
Who was Harriet Tubman?
Her moniker “Moses” (after the prophet who led the Hebrews out of Egypt) came from her involvement in helping fugitive slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman was born in 1822 and died in 1913. She was an abolitionist and escaped slave. In spite of the fact that she does not appear in Amazon’s The Underground Railroad, she was one of the most well-known and accomplished “conductors,” having undertaken more than a dozen very perilous rescue trips in order to save nearly 70 slaves (including family members).
- The year was 1849, and she was fleeing from her slave masters in the southern state of Maryland, eventually crossing the state boundary into Pennsylvania.
- According to Tubman, “I was conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can claim what other conductors can’t say: I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger,” she told a group of people at a public appearance in her senior years.
- In the American Civil War, she worked as a spy for the Union Army, despite the fact that she was reputedly paid so little that she had to rely on selling handmade baked goods to make ends meet.
- Harriet Tubman is played by Cynthia Erivo in the film Harriet.
- Harriet, an Oscar-nominated film starring Cynthia Erivo and based on Tubman’s life, was released in 2019 and is based on her real story.
The Underground Railroad will be published as a box set on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, May 14, 2021, on the 14th anniversary of the film’s debut. Looking for something else to watch? Check out the rest of ourDrama coverage, or ourTV Guide for additional suggestions.
‘The Underground Railroad’ Takes Liberties — But It’s More Fact Than Fiction
The winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is now available to watch on a screen near you via Netflix. It’s impossible not to be excited about the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad into a limited series on Amazon Prime Video, which will premiere in the fall. What makes the novel so compelling is Whitehead’s imaginative take on the antebellum American South—but Whitehead’s magical realism may cause some readers (and now viewers) to wonder how much of The Underground Railroad is based on real history.
- Here’s all you need to know about the situation.
- This epic trip through the United States in quest of freedom is chronicled in The Underground Railroad, which follows Cora, a woman born into slavery on a Georgia farm, as she embarks on her journey.
- Cora is joined by a variety of companions, including Lovey and Caesar.
- The Underground Railroad, a Prime Video original film directed by Moonlight writer-director Barry Jenkins, is currently streaming on the service.
- Here’s everything you need to know about The Underground Railroad’s historical accuracy and fiction:
The Underground Railroad
So, let’s start with the actual railroad system. Although it’s widely known today, the real-life Underground Railroad was an interconnected network of white and BIPOC abolitionists — some of whom had been enslaved themselves — who collaborated to smuggle runaways from Southern plantations to free states, the Caribbean and Mexico, as well as Canada. The conductors of the railroad would conceal Black fugitives at “stations,” which included houses, churches, and businesses, and discreetly move them to the next station as soon as time and safety permitted.
With this history in mind, Whitehead’s novel transforms the real-life Underground Railroad into a true subway system, with routes connecting the southernmost states of the United States to Canada.
For its conductors and passengers, Whitehead’s Railroad is as hazardous for Cora and her companions as the real-life routes were for enslaved people and those who assisted them in their emancipation.
Slave Catchers
Start with the actual railroad itself. Although it’s widely known today, the real-life Underground Railroad was an interconnected network of white and BIPOC abolitionists — some of whom had been slaves themselves — who collaborated to carry runaways from Southern plantations to free states, the Caribbean and Mexico, and Canada. When time and safety permitted, the Railroad’s conductors would conceal Black fugitives at “stations” — such as houses, churches, and businesses — and discreetly convey them to the next station.
As a play on this timeline, Whitehead’s novel transforms the real-life Underground Railroad into a genuine subway system with routes connecting the southernmost states of the United States to Canada.
And for its conductors and passengers, Whitehead’s Railroad is every bit as hazardous for Cora and her companions as the real-life routes were for enslaved people and those who assisted them in their escape from slavery.
South Carolina
The history of South Carolina is intricately intertwined with the history of slavery in the United States of America. Early American slave trade routes passed via Charleston, South Carolina, which served as a major hub for the kidnapping, purchasing, and selling of Black and Indigenous people. It was designated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and it has been in operation as the Old Slave Mart Museum since 2007. The Old Slave Mart Museum is housed in Charleston’s Old Slave Mart, which is commonly thought to be the only remaining slave auction site in the state.
- When it joined the Confederacy in February 1861, it was the location of the opening fight of the United States Civil War, which took place in April of that year when the South Carolina militia opened fire on Union forces stationed at Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor.
- Upon arriving at their first station on the railroad, Cora and Caesar are surprised to discover that the state government has purchased all enslaved people and provided them with paying jobs, housing and medical treatment.
- Although the living circumstances of enslaved people in the novel’s depiction of South Carolina aren’t based on truth, all of the atrocities committed against Black people in the state are.
- The alternative to living without, as many of her new neighbors have chosen, is to take on debt in the form of “scrip,” which was a primitive type of shop credit that was popular in the 1800s.
- In South Carolina’s working class, textile mills were a major employment from the late nineteenth century through the mid-20th century, especially during the Great Depression.
- What was left over was almost never provided to them in cash.
- As a result of finding that the state of South Carolina is forcefully sterilizing Black people and utilizing them for medical research, Cora resolves to flee.
- The statute that made such sterilizations possible remained on the books until 1985, and South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges issued a public apology for “decades of sorrow and anguish inflicted by eugenics” in 2003, according to the Associated Press.
- The Post and Courier reported in 2017 that Dr.
J. Marion Sims, dubbed “South Carolina’s most infamous physician” for his experiments on enslaved women in the 1840s, performed up to 30 unanesthetized vaginal surgeries on each of his victims and kept them at his makeshift hospital for the duration of their treatment, which could last for years.
North Carolina
North Carolina, on the other hand, is a very different story, where being Black has been rendered functionally illegal as a result of a combination of legislative and extralegal efforts. In order to escape being discovered by night riders—white proto-Klansmen who prowl the streets in search of Black people to harass, abuse, and even murder—she is forced to take refuge in the attic of a white couple’s home. In the 1860 census, there were 30,000 free Black people residing in North Carolina, second only to the population of neighboring Virginia, which had 58,000 free Black people.
However, the state soon passed sweeping restrictions to control when a slaveholder could free an enslaved person.
During the first year after the conclusion of the Civil War, former Confederate states began drafting “Black codes,” which were a collection of legislation that restricted the rights of African-Americans.
The Thirteenth Amendment permitted — and continues to permit — governments to compel jailed prisoners to work for no compensation.
Indiana
Cora’s adventures in Indiana begin in ideal fashion, as she finds herself in a tiny community of free Black people, led by a white-passing farmer who assists Cora in mending fences with the white population. Tragic events unfold as the commune is the target of a terrorist attack that results in the death of Cora’s love interest, Royal, and her subsequent captivity by Ridgeway. Although Indiana abolished slavery in 1820 and subsequently fought for the Union during the Civil War, the state retained a majority-white population during the ensuing century.
Despite the fact that Catholics were the primary target of the Indiana Klan, the KKK remained a white supremacist organization, even in states that had previously been part of the Union.
According to James H. Madison of Indiana University, a Klan member’s so-called “100 percent American identity” depended on their being a white, native-born, English-speaking Protestant who was raised in the United States.
California
The final time Cora emerges from the Underground Railroad is when she encounters Ollie, a Black wagon driver who offers her a ride. Cora accepts his offer. Thousands of African-Americans moved to California between 1850 and 1860, with 2,000 of them “settling in San Francisco and Sacramento, establishing the first English-speaking Black urban communities in the Far West,” according to In Motion. Ollie, like many Black Americans during the mid-19th century, is headed for California, which experienced an influx of 4,000 Black migrants between 1850 and 1860.
The Underground Railroad is currently available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.