Ohio played a major role in leading escaped slaves from lives of captivity to their dreams of freedom. The Underground Railroad, a legendary path to freedom used by thousands of runaway slaves, was an intricate system designed to reach northern destinations where many slaves found it possible to avoid recapture.
Why was Ohio an important part of the Underground Railroad?
Ohio served as the northern “trunk line” of the Underground Railroad, a system of secret routes used by free people in the North & South to help slaves escape to freedom. Escape routes developed throughout Ohio with safe houses where slaves could be concealed during the day.
Why is the Underground Railroad important?
The underground railroad, where it existed, offered local service to runaway slaves, assisting them from one point to another. The primary importance of the underground railroad was that it gave ample evidence of African American capabilities and gave expression to African American philosophy.
How Ohio was an important part of the anti slavery movement in the United States?
Not all Ohioans were abolitionists. However, local antislavery newspapers made Ohio an important center of the anti- slavery movement. The Ohio Anti- Slavery Society hired people to give speeches across the state to convince Ohioans to join the abolitionist movement.
Why was the Underground Railroad important to slaves?
The Underground Railroad was a secret system developed to aid fugitive slaves on their escape to freedom. The free individuals who helped runaway slaves travel toward freedom were called conductors, and the fugitive slaves were referred to as cargo.
How did Ohio feel about slavery?
Ohio prohibited slavery, but only in the sense that no one could buy or sell slaves within the state. Not until 1841 did Ohio enact a law so that any slave brought into the state automatically became free.
Did the Underground Railroad go through Ohio?
Although there were Underground Railroad networks throughout the country, even in the South, Ohio had the most active network of any other state with around 3000 miles of routes used by escaping runaways. First Ohio was bordered by 2 slave states: Virginia and Kentucky.
Why was the Underground Railroad important to the Civil War?
The Underground Railroad physically resisted the repressive laws that held slaves in bondage. By provoking fear and anger in the South, and prompting the enactment of harsh legislation that eroded the rights of white Americans, the Underground Railroad was a direct contributing cause of the Civil War.
Was the Underground Railroad effective?
Ironically the Fugitive Slave Act increased Northern opposition to slavery and helped hasten the Civil War. The Underground Railroad gave freedom to thousands of enslaved women and men and hope to tens of thousands more. In both cases the success of the Underground Railroad hastened the destruction of slavery.
How did the Underground Railroad help promote justice?
The Underground Railroad became a catalyst for propaganda as both the abolitionists and slave owners used tales of escape to gain popular support for their cause. The abolitionists used the stories of successful escapes to rally to action those who supported the causes of equality and freedom.
What happened in the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad— the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, through the end of the Civil War—refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape.
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.
Underground Railroad – Ohio History Central
According to Ohio History Central This snapshot depicts the “Freedom Stairway,” which consists of one hundred stairs going from the Ohio River to the John Rankin House in Ripley, which served as a station on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Presbyterian clergyman and educator John Rankin (1793-1886) spent most of his time working for the abolitionist anti-slavery struggle. The home features various secret rooms, some of which were used to hide freedom fighters. An illuminated sign was erected in front of the home to signal that it was safe for anyone seeking freedom to approach it.
An underground railroad system of safe homes and hiding places that assisted freedom seekers on their journeys to freedom in Canada, Mexico, and other countries outside of the United States was known as the Underground Railroad (UR).
Although it is unknown when the Underground Railroad had its start, members of the Society of Friends, often known as the Quakers, were actively supporting freedom seekers as early as the 1780s, according to historical records.
As early as the late 1700s, slavery was outlawed in the vast majority of Northern states.
- African Americans were forced to flee the United States in order to genuinely achieve their freedom.
- Despite the fact that slavery was outlawed in Ohio, some individuals were still opposed to the abolition of the institution.
- Many of these individuals were adamantly opposed to the Underground Railroad.
- Other people attempted to restore freedom seekers to their rightful owners in the aim of receiving prizes for their efforts.
- Over three thousand slaves were rescued from their captors and granted freedom in Canada thanks to the efforts of Levi Coffin, a Cincinnati man who lived in the late 1840s and early 1850s.
- His house was perched on a three hundred-foot-high hill with a panoramic view of the Ohio River.
- He gave the freedom seekers with sanctuary and kept them hidden until it was safe for them to proceed farther north in their quest for independence.
These individuals, as well as a large number of others, put their lives in danger to aid African Americans in their journey to freedom.
They typically chose to live in communities where there were other African Americans.
A total of eight communities along the Lake Erie shoreline served as embarkation locations for the freedom seekers’ journey to Canada, including Ashtabula, Painesville, Cleveland, Sandusky, Toledo, Huron, Lorain, Conneaut, and Conneaut.
It is still unknown exactly how the Underground Railroad came to be known by that moniker.
In 1831, a freedom seeker called Tice Davids fled from his slave owners in Kentucky, where he had been held since birth.
Davids had arrived at the coast only a few minutes before him. Following the arrival of his boat, the holder was unable to locate Davids and concluded that he “must have gone off on a subterranean path.”
See Also
- “The Hippocrene Guide to the Underground Railroad,” by Charles L. Blockson, et al. Hippocrene Books, New York, NY, 1994
- Levi Coffin, Hippocrene Books, New York, NY, 1994. Levi Coffin’s recollections of his time as the rumored President of the Underground Railroad. Arno Press, New York, NY, 1968
- Dee, Christine, ed., Ohio’s War: The Civil War in Documents, New York, NY, 1968. Ohio: A Four-Volume Reference Library on the History of a Great State (Athens: Ohio University Press, 2007)
- Fess, Simeon D., ed. Ohio: A Four-Volume Reference Library on the History of a Great State (Athens: Ohio University Press, 2007). Gara, Larry, and Lewis Publishing Company, 1937
- Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Company. The Liberty Line: The Legend of the Underground Railroad is a documentary film about the Underground Railroad. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press, 1961
- Ann Hagedorn, ed., Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1961. Beyond the River: The Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad is a book about the heroes of the Underground Railroad. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2002
- Roseboom, Eugene H. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2002
- The period from 1850 to 1873 is known as the Civil War Era. The Underground Railroad: From Slavery to Freedom (Columbus, OH: Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, 1944)
- Siebert, Wibur H. “The Underground Railroad: From Slavery to Freedom.” RussellRussell, New York, 1898
- Siebert, Wilbur Henry, New York, 1898. Ohio was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Lesick, Lawrence Thomas
- Arthur W. McGraw, 1993
- McGraw, Arthur W. The Lane Rebels: Evangelicalism and Antislavery in Antebellum America is a book about the Lane family who were antislavery activists in the antebellum era. Roland M. Baumann’s book, The Scarecrow Press, was published in 1980 in Metuchen, NJ. The Rescue of the Oberlin-Wellington Train in 1858: A Reappraisal Oberlin, OH: Oberlin College Press, 2003
- Levi Coffin and William Still, editors. Fleeing for Freedom: Stories of the Underground Railroad is a collection of short stories about people fleeing for freedom. Ivan R. Dee Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 2004.
Underground Railroad in Ohio
“The Hippocrene Guide to the Underground Railroad,” by Charles L. Blockson, is available online at Amazon.com. Hippocrene Books, New York, NY, 1994; Levi Coffin, Hippocrene Books, 1994. Levi Coffin’s recollections of his time as the alleged President of the Underground Railroad are included. OHIO’S WAR: THE CIVIL WAR IN DOCUMENTS (New York, NY: Arno Press, 1968); Christine Dee (ed.) Ohio: A Four-Volume Reference Library on the History of a Great State, edited by Simeon D. Fess, Athens: Ohio University Press, 2007.
- The Underground Railroad’s Liberty Line is a legendary tale.
- Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press “Beyond the River” is a nonfiction book that tells the story of the Underground Railroad heroes who went undetected for decades.
- Between 1850 until 1873, the United States was in the Civil War.
- The Underground Railroad: From Slavery to Freedom.
- 1898; Wilbur Henry Siebert, New York: RussellRussell; RussellRussell, 1898; In Ohio, there was an Underground Railroad.
- McGraw, 1993.
- It was published by Scarecrow Press in Metuchen, New Jersey, and it was written by Roland M.
- a reappraisal of the 1858 Oberlin-Wellington rescue Cooper, Levi, and William Still (eds.) published Oberlin College Press in 2003 in Oberlin, Ohio.
- Ivan R.
- Slaves were referred to as “cargo” or “passengers.” Stations were used to refer to hiding locations or safe homes. Conductors were the guides who escorted the runaway slaves to freedom. Those who assisted slaves in their escape but did not guide them were referred to as agents. People who contributed financial resources to these endeavors were referred to as shareholders.
The use of the same terminology associated with railroads to describe the activities associated with the Underground Railroad became more widespread as physical railroads became more common. This allowed those actively involved in the Underground Railroad to communicate openly without fear of being turned over to the authorities by someone overhearing their conversation. At the time, these code phrases were not known outside of the network, which is understandable given their importance. The title “liberation train” or “the gospel train” was used in certain parts of the country, and in others it was referred to as “the freedom train.” By the 1850s, the name “Underground Railroad” had become the most often used in the state of Ohio.
A fugitive slave could not be assisted under state or federal law, and this was a criminal offense.
It was the plantation owner’s responsibility to apply further punishment to captured slaves when they were returned to the plantation and fields from where they had escaped. This may include physical punishment, prolonged incarceration, or even selling the slaves back to their captors.
Ohio Anti-Slavery Society
The use of the same terminology associated with railroads to describe the activities associated with the Underground Railroad became more widespread as physical railroads became more common. This allowed those actively involved in the Underground Railroad to communicate openly without fear of being turned over to the authorities by someone who overheard their conversation. At the time, these code phrases were not known outside of the network, which is understandable given their significance. It was referred to as “the gospel train” in certain parts of the country, while in others it was called “the freedom train.” By the 1850s, the name “Underground Railroad” had become the most widely used in Ohio.
In order to assist a fleeing slave, one had to violate not only state but also federal law.
It was the plantation owner’s responsibility to apply further punishment to captured slaves when they were returned to the plantation and farms from which they had escaped.
Freedom Center in Cincinnati
The use of the same terminology associated with railroads to describe the activities associated with the Underground Railroad became more widespread as physical railroads became more common. This allowed those actively involved in the Underground Railroad to communicate openly without fear of being turned over to the authorities by someone overhearing the conversation. Of course, these code phrases were not known outside of the network at the time. The title “freedom train” or “the gospel train” was used in some parts of the country, whilst in others it was referred to as “the gospel train.” By the 1850s, the name “Underground Railroad” had become the most often used in Ohio.
It was against state and federal law to assist a runaway slave.
It was the plantation owner’s responsibility to inflict further punishment to captured slaves when they were returned to the plantation and fields from where they had fled.
The Journey
Ohio was divided on the question of slavery, and only a few localities could provide complete protection. Oberlin was one of the locations where fugitive slaves may feel safe while trying to flee. Oberlin, which is located in north central Ohio, became one of the primary staging areas for fugitive slaves fleeing to Canada. More villages in the south, including Columbus and Zanesville to the east,Mechanicsburg and Urbana to the west, came together to help, as did a number of other cities. For runaway slaves, there were even more little settlements in southern Ohio, which provided them with sanctuary in an incredibly perilous region.
The major entry point into Ohio was along the Ohio River, with the most notable location being a little town known as Ripley. Hundreds of thousands of runaway slaves were helped by John Rankin and a small number of others, who helped them get started on their trip on the Underground Railroad.
Journey’s end
When it came to slavery, Ohioans were divided, and only a few localities could provide complete protection. Slave fugitives could feel secure at Oberlin, which was one of those towns. Oberlin, which is located in north central Ohio, became one of the primary staging areas for fugitive slaves fleeing the South. More cities in the south, including Columbus and Zanesville to the east,Mechanicsburg and Urbana to the west, came together to help, as did a number of other communities in Ohio. For runaway slaves, there were even more little settlements in southern Ohio, which provided them with sanctuary in an incredibly perilous area.
It was along the Ohio River, most notably in a little village named Ripley, that the majority of people came into the state of Ohio.
African-Americans helped make the Underground Railroad work
The fact that escaping slaves made the Underground Railroad feasible was the most significant component of the Underground Railroad’s history. If it hadn’t been for their daring, tenacity, and innovation, the railroad would have been nothing more than a footnote in the history of our nation’s development. It was necessary for the majority of runaway slaves not only to get away from their owner’s estate, but also from all of the areas between them and the Ohio River, as well as from all of the other entrance points between the slave and free states.
- Aside from avoiding their previous masters, they also had to dodge the slave-catchers who prowled the countryside in pursuit of fugitives.
- The runaway slaves had a tough voyage since they had to hide in the woods during the day and travel only at night.
- As soon as they passed over the Ohio River, they had to make contact with someone they had never met before, and they had to hope that they would be able to give them with refuge and assistance on their long voyage ahead of them.
- That occurred at a period when the Ohio River frequently froze over, making it possible for the runaways to cross the river without the need of a boat.
- The ice was frequently more like giant pieces of floating ice, which needed cautious footwork to make it safely across the river at night, just by looking at the river itself and not taking into consideration the extremely low temperatures.
Slaves who had already completed the trek to freedom would frequently return to assist others, putting their own safety and freedom at tremendous risk.
Paying the Price:
A fugitive slave from a Kentucky farm owned by John Bacon who was 17 years old at the time of his capture on September 13, 1858, by two slave hunters and two federal marshals in Oberlin, Ohio, was residing in Oberlin at the time of his arrest. Realizing that attempting to apprehend the young black man in the town of Oberlin would be difficult due to the well-known anti-slavery attitudes held by the town’s residents, they devised a plan to lure John Price away from the protection of Oberlin. On the pretext of digging potatoes for money, they persuaded Shakespeare Boynton, the son of a prominent Oberlin landowner, to accompany John Price to a farm west of Oberlin where he would be paid for his efforts.
- The ruse was successful.
- Anti-slavery activists in Oberlin were angry as soon as they saw what had happened and rallied together to try to save the slaves.
- By late afternoon, more than 200 people from Oberlin and Wellington had gathered outside the Wadsworth Hotel, where Price was being kept captive.
- There was a window with a little balcony that overlooked the town square in that room.
- The sheriff wanted to make sure that all of the paperwork was in order.
- Then, from the outside, someone set up a ladder near the room’s window, and a group of Oberlin locals climbed in via the window while another group entered through the door.
- Price went on the Underground Railroad to Canada a few days later, but was never seen or heard from again after that.
In lieu of posting bond, they were sent to the Cuyahoga County Jail for almost one month, where they remain today.
The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Case had a significant impact on the public’s opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act, which was one of the reasons that contributed to the American Civil War.
Smith, Richard Winsor, Simeon Bushnell, David Watson, William E.
Scott, Ansel W.
Peck, and James M.
Smith. Ralph Plumb, James Bartlett, John Watson, and Henry Evans are seated at the table. A technicality in their indictments caused two of the men, Jacob B. Shipherd and Orindatus S.B. Wall, to be released sooner than the others. As a result, they are not featured.
Additional information aboutthe Underground Railroad
Nancy Dravenstott, Austin Kaufman, and Tami Sprang collaborated on this project.
Grade Level:
Using primary and secondary sources to answer questions about Ohio history, History/Historical ThinkingSkills2: History/Heritage7: Following the War of 1812, the United States was divided along sectarian lines. Ohio had a significant role in these problems, notably in the anti-slavery campaign and the Underground Railroad, which both originated in the state.
Primary Sources Used:
In the home, there are hiding spots. University of Louisville’s The Underground Railroad in the Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana Borderland is an excellent resource. Spring Hill (picture courtesy of the National Park Service).
Other Resources:
Powerpoint: Underground Railroad (available at the Ohio State University’s Harvey Goldberg Center for Excellence in Teaching’s Slideshare.net website)
Lesson Summary:
On the Harvey Goldberg Center for Excellence in Teaching’s Slideshare.net page, you may find a Powerpoint presentation titled Underground Railroad.
Instructional Steps to Implement the Lesson:
Beginning with the Underground Railroad power point presentation, students will study photographs of common hiding spots located in a safe house and react to questions that have been prepared for them. (preassessment) Guided Lesson: Students will continue to study the power point presentation about the Underground Railroad. Stops on the Underground Railroad will be marked on each student’s Ohio map, and they will be easy to find. Closing: Think-Pair-Share Strategy: Discuss the significance of the Underground Railroad in Ohio with a partner first, then with the full class.
Post-Assessment and Scoring Guideline:
Beginning with the Underground Railroad power point presentation, students will study photographs of common hiding spots located in a safe house and reply to questions that have been presented. (preassessment) guided lesson: students will continue to look at the power slide presentation on the Underground Railroad Students’ maps of Ohio will include a map of the Underground Railroad with stops marked on it. Closing: Think-Pair-Share Strategy: First, with a partner, then with the full class, discuss why the Underground Railroad was essential in Ohio history.
Materials Needed by Teacher:
The Underground Railroad was a physical barrier between slaves and the draconian laws that kept them in slavery. … In addition to inciting dread and resentment in the South and encouraging the passage of severe legislation that curtailed the rights of white Americans, the Underground Railroad was a direct contributor to the outbreak of the American Civil War in the United States. Many men, women, and children gained their freedom as a consequence of the efforts of the Underground Railroad. It also contributed to the demise of the institution of slavery, which was eventually abolished in the United States during the American Civil War.
The Underground Railroad was diverted to Canada as its eventual destination after the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act as part of the Compromise of 1850.
In newly constructed settlements in Southern Ontario, tens of thousands of slaves were resettled. In an instant, their work became more difficult and perhaps dangerous.
Is slavery still legal in Texas?
A physical resistance to the harsh laws that kept slaves in bondage was demonstrated by the Underground Railroad movement. … The Underground Railroad played a significant role in the Civil War by inciting dread and resentment in the Southern states and pushing the passage of severe legislation that restricted the rights of white Americans. Many men, women, and children gained freedom as a consequence of the labor of the Underground Railroad. It also had a role in undermining the system of slavery, which was eventually abolished in the United States during the American Civil War era.
The Underground Railroad was diverted to Canada as its eventual destination following the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Act as part of the Compromise of 1850.
The difficulty and danger of their work increased overnight.
How many slaves died trying to escape?
The Underground Railroad was a physical barrier between slaves and the draconian laws that kept them in servitude. … The Underground Railroad had a direct role in the Civil War by inciting dread and resentment in the Southern states and pushing the passage of severe legislation that restricted the rights of white Americans. Many men, women, and children gained their freedom as a consequence of the labor of the Underground Railroad. As a result of the Civil War, the institution of slavery in the United States was eventually abolished.
Following the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act as part of the Compromise of 1850, the Underground Railroad was diverted to Canada as its eventual goal.
Their task suddenly got more difficult and dangerous.
How many slaves did Harriet Tubman save?
We know that Tubman saved around 70 people – relatives and friends — over approximately 13 journeys to Maryland, according to her own statements and comprehensive documentation on her rescue operations.
When did Ohio free slaves?
Slavery was abolished in Ohio by the state’s initial constitution in 1802, which was adopted in 1802. However, at the same time, Ohio, which borders slave-state Kentucky across the Ohio River, took the lead in enforcing a strict anti-immigrant policy against black people.
When was Ohio founded?
The first day of March in 1803 was March 1.
When did Ohio became a state?
Ohio has been given statehood. Despite the fact that Ohio officially became the 17th state on February 19, 1803 as a result of a congressional act, the anniversary of Ohio statehood is commemorated on March 1.
The Ohio legislature convened for the first time on March 1, 1803, marking the anniversary of the state’s founding. A 1953 Resolution of the United States Congress designated this as the date of the state’s establishment retrospectively.
What role did Ohio play in the Civil War?
Achieved the status of statehood in Ohio Despite the fact that Ohio officially became the 17th state on February 19, 1803 as a result of a congressional act, the anniversary of Ohio statehood is observed on March 1. The inaugural meeting of the Ohio legislature took place on March 1, 1803, which was the state’s bicentennial. An act of the United States Congress in 1953 declared this to be the official date of the state’s formation retrospectively.
Did Ohio fight for the North or South?
During the American Civil War, the state of Ohio sent more than 260 regiments of troops to the United States government. A total of 310,654 Ohioans were drafted into the Northern army and served for varied lengths of time throughout the war. Every major battle of the war was fought by warriors from the state of Ohio. Ohioans made significant contributions to the Northern triumph.
Ohio’s Underground Railroad to Freedom | Know Ohio
In the course of the American Civil War, the state of Ohio sent more than 260 regiments of soldiers to the United States military. It is estimated that 310,654 Ohioans were drafted to serve in the Northern army during the Civil War. Every important battle of the war was fought by troops from Ohio. It is widely acknowledged that Ohioans made significant contributions to the Northern victory.
The Underground Railroad in Ohio
| Topic | The Underground Railroad in Ohio |
| Time Period | Early to mid 1800s |
| Keyword(s) | Slavery, Underground Railroad, African Americans, Abolition |
| Grade level(s) | 6-12 |
| Learning standard(s) | (Grade 8 Social Studies) History Strand: Historical Thinking and Skills, Content Statement 1; Colonization to Independence, Content Statement 4; Civil War and Reconstruction, Content Statement 12 / (High School Social Studies) American History: Historical Thinking and Skills, Content Statement 2; Industrialization and Progressivism, Content Statement 13 |
Underground Railroad is a word used to describe a secret network of individuals and locations that supported runaway slaves in their attempts to flee slavery in the southern United States.” This activity was most prevalent during the three decades leading up to the Civil War, and it was concentrated mostly in the regions bordering slave states, with the Ohio River serving as the focal point of much of the action.
- It is important to note that Beneath Train activities did not physically take place underground or along a railroad track, nor was it a formal group with a well defined organizational structure.
- Those who believed in abolitionist principles were at the center of the Underground Railroad campaign.
- They were members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
- The dissemination of abolitionist ideals then extended westward into the territory that would become Indiana and Ohio in the following decades.
- The conflicting features of independence for a society that still kept enslaved people were also considered by others, which prompted many to get involved in the Underground Railroad.” Thanks to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for this image.
- The Underground Railroad as seen in photographs Portraits of those involved in the Underground Railroad Conductors The Underground Railroad: Its History and Legacy There is also anAdditional Resourceslist and aTeaching Guidefollowing the major source items.
The Teaching Guide also contains discussion questions and classroom exercises.
The Underground Railroad
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County provided this contribution.
Additional Resources
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center — “The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum of conscience, an education center, a facilitator of discussion, and a beacon of light for inclusive freedom across the world,” according to the center’s mission statement. “It is located in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio.”
- A historical summary of the Underground Railroad and Ohio’s role in it is offered by the Ohio History Connection in this page titled “Ohio History Central: Underground Railroad” (subscription required). The National Afro-American Museum is located in Washington, D.C. Center for the Arts – At this museum in Wilberforce, Ohio, which is home to two historically black institutions, Wilberforce and Central State, visitors may take part in frequently changing exhibitions and special activities that celebrate African American history, art, and culture. Underground Railroad —A discussion and description of the Underground Railroad, as well as biographical information about abolitionists from the Detroit, Michigan region – Detroit Historical Society Underground Railroad
Teaching Guide
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center – “The National Underground Railroad Freedom Institution is a museum of conscience, an education center, a facilitator of conversation, and a beacon of light for inclusive freedom across the world,” according to the center’s mission. “Cincinnati, Ohio is the location.” ; A historical account of the Underground Railroad and Ohio’s involvement in it is offered by the Ohio History Connection in this page titled “Ohio History Central, Underground Railroad.” The National Afro-American Museum is a museum dedicated to African-American culture and heritage.
This museum in Wilberforce, Ohio, which is home to two historically black institutions, Wilberforce and Central State, offers frequently changing exhibitions and special activities that teach about African American history, art, and culture.
- In order to get to the North, escaping slaves would have to cross the Underground Railroad. After their journeys on the subterranean railroad, where would individuals who had traveled there choose to live? What towns and localities in Ohio did fugitive slaves pass through on their journey to freedom in Canada? Exactly where would fugitive slaves be hidden by subterranean railroad conductors
- In your county, do you know of any underground railroad stops that are still there and may be visited?
Activities in the Classroom (Download)
- Activities in the class room (Download)
Underground Railroad in Ohio
Activities in the classroom (Download)
Cuyahoga Valley’s Ties to the Underground Railroad (U.S. National Park Service)
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress People of color were carried from slavery to freedom by way of the Underground Railroad from the time of our nation’s founding until the Civil War. The Underground Railroad was not a physical railroad; rather, it was a network of hidden pathways that led away from slave states in every direction. A large number of daring persons took part in it, including each enslaved person who attempted to leave or who offered food and guidance, freedom searchers who returned south to aid those fleeing, and free Blacks and Whites who offered assistance.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
Trail to Freedom
Thanks to the Library of Congress for their assistance! It was the Underground Railroad that carried people of color from slavery to freedom from the time of our country’s founding until the Civil War. A network of covert pathways leading away from slave states in every direction, rather than a physical railway, was the Underground Railroad. Each enslaved person who attempted to escape or who supplied food and direction, freedom seekerswho returned south to aid others fleeing and free Blacks and Whites who offered assistance were all examples of daring individuals.
Thanks to the Library of Congress for their assistance!
Law of the Land
“Involuntary slavery,” as it was defined in the United States Constitution, allowed people to own other people without their consent. Following that, regulations were passed making it illegal to help “runaways” and defining the areas where slavery may exist. A provision of the second Fugitive Slave Act, which was established in 1850, specified that anybody supporting a freedom seeking would be fined $1,000 and sentenced to six months in a federal jail.
Also included were provisions requiring law enforcement personnel to help slave catchers and allowing them to examine people’s houses.
A Hotbed of Abolitionists
Slavery should not exist, and those known as abolitionists thought that it should not exist and campaigned to bring it to an end despite the hazards. Northeast Ohio was a hive of abolitionist activity during the nineteenth century. Men and women, Black and White, free and enslaved, came together to fight for a common goal in their struggle. Many people were participating in politics for the very first time. Northeast Ohio women formed anti-slavery societies, distributed petitions, served as delegates to state and national antislavery conferences, and produced editorials that were published in local newspapers such as The Anti-Slavery Bugle, among other activities.
- The Free Blacks were a tiny but active abolitionist group in Northeast Ohio during the antebellum period.
- They were able to gradually influence state legislation through coordinated gatherings and petitions.
- When Malvin refused to be separated in church, he put in motion a wave of social activity that continues to this day.
- Despite the fact that he did not mention it in his book, it is possible that Malvin supported freedom seekers who were attempting to flee through the canal system.
- Ted Toth / National Park Service
Preserving the Stories
Slavery should not exist, and abolitionists thought that it should be abolished, despite the dangers they faced in their efforts. In the abolitionist movement, the region around Northeast Ohio was a hotspot. Males and females, Black and White, free and enslaved, all came together to strive for a common goal. Many were making their first forays into the political arena. Abolitionists in Northeast Ohio formed female anti-slavery organizations and disseminated petitions, serving as delegates to state and national anti-slavery conferences, and writing editorials for publication in local newspapers like as The Anti-Slavery Bugle.
Located in Northeast Ohio, the Free Blacks were a tiny but aggressive abolitionist society.
They were able to incrementally influence state legislation through coordinated gatherings and petitions.
By standing out for his right to be separated in church, Malvin laid the stage for an upsurge in social activity.
Despite the fact that he did not mention it in his memoirs, it is possible that Malvin supported freedom seekers who were attempting to flee across the canal. By way of its Underground Railroad initiatives, Cuyahoga Valley is a participant in the Network to Freedom. Ted Toth, National Park Service.
The Struggle Continues
Did you know that there are as many as 27 million enslaved persons living in the globe at any given time? The existence of slaves and traffickers may be detected in practically every country, including the United States, according to Kevin Bales, a consultant to the United Nations on human slavery and trafficking. We hope that the heroism of people who stood up against slavery throughout history inspires you to think more carefully about human rights and seek ways to make current society a more humane place to live and work.
The Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force can provide you with further information regarding human trafficking in Ohio.
The Ohio River and the Underground Railroad
What if I told you that there are up to 27 million enslaved individuals in the globe today? According to Kevin Bales, a consultant to the United Nations on human slavery and trafficking, they may be found in practically every country, including the United States. We hope that the heroism of people who stood out against slavery throughout history will encourage you to think more thoroughly about human rights and seek methods to make current society more humane. The ability to send a letter, sign an online petition, and purchase wisely is within your grasp.