Introduction

What would life have been like for slaves?  To avoid this harsh treatment, what alternatives would you try?  The Underground Railroad was neither underground nor a railroad, but a secret escape route for fugitive slaves to free states.  It was run by local antislavery activists.  Every home that welcomed runaways was considered part of the Underground Railroad.  You are traveling abroad a time machine and arrive in the year 1851.  You have been transformed into an antislavery activist as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.  Each of you is trying to protect your livelihood while helping less fortunate people  in this great protest against slavery.

The Task

Harriet Tubman has asked for your help in protecting escaping slaves in your home.  You  must become familiar with all perspectives of the Underground Railroad in order to prepare for this endeavor. 

When  Harriet Tubman returns, you must present her with:

(1) journal entries (word processed with graphics) that reflect your background knowledge and the obstacles you might encounter as part of the underground railroad

(2) a safe house floor plan with narrative description (computer generated)

(3)a bounty poster for yourself as a conductor or an abolitionist poster trying to prevent recapture of escaped slaves (computer generated)

http://www.ncwiseowl.org

In Search of Freedom
http://www.cr.nps.gov/delta/free.htm

Journey of The Underground Railroad
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad

The Fugitive Slave Act
http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/UGRR/HOR2.htm

Story of the Underground Railroad
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/undergroundrr/story.html

UGRR Code Words and Phrases
http://www.beavton.k12.or.us/Greenway/leahy/ugrr/code.htm

Treatment of Slaves
http://beavton.k12.or.us/Greenway/leahy/ugrr/slaves.htm

The Underground Railroad
http://education.ucdavis.edu/NEW/STC/lesson/socstud/railroad/contents.htm

The Life Of Harriet Tubman
http://www.nyhistory.com/harriettubman/life.htm

People Against Slavery
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/undergrounedrr/people.html

The Process

Choose a partner to research the Underground Railroad.

Go through the journey of the Underground Railroad to gain an idea of what it was like to be traveling along the Underground Railroad.  Briefly describe your experience.

Journal Entries

Work on your journal entries.  Use the sites listed to answer the following questions in your journals.

• Why was the Underground Railroad named as such?  What is the symbolic meaning of its name?
• Underground Railroad search on NCWise Owl 
• Story of the Underground Railroad

• What was the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850?
• The Fugitive Slave Act
• The Fugitive Slave Act, 1850
• The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
• Write a paragraph briefly describing the life of one of the men and women listed below who were involved in the fight to end slavery in the United States

Frederick Douglass Faces of Freedom NC Wise Owl

Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman's Life An Unforgettable Black Leader NC Wise Owl

William Lloyd Garrison Faces of Freedom NC Wise Owl

John Brown Faces of Freedom NC Wise Owl John Brown John Brown

Harriet Beecher Stowe Harriet Beecher Stowe Faces of Freedom NC Wise Owl Stowe

Levi Coffin Levi Coffin President of the UGRR NC Wise Owl Levi Coffin

• What was the importance of code words and songs?  Look at the lyrics of a song and explain the significance.
• Follow the Drinking Gourd
• Underground Railroad Code Words
• History of the Drinking Gourd
• Explanation of "Follow the Drinking Gourd"
• Footsteps of Freedom

Bounty Poster

• Create a bounty poster for yourself as a conductor or an abolitionist poster trying to prevent recapture of escaped slaves 
• $150 Reward
• Public Notice
• Reward
• Antislavery Caution

Safe House Floor Plan

• Design a safe house floor plan as an antislavery activist

• Methods of Escape
• Unusual Places
• Levi Coffin's House
•  

Evaluation

You will be evaluated in the following areas:
 
 

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Journal Entries	Journal entries (hand-written) just answer the questions.	Journal entries hand-written with graphics.	Journal entries are word processed and include graphics.	Journal entries are well organized in an attractive format (word processed) with graphics. Citations are included.  Entries demonstrate understanding of this time period.
Bounty Poster or Abolitionist Poster	Poster contains less that three reasons for the bounty or Abolitionist tips.  No graphics.	Poster contains less than three reasons for the bounty or Abolitionist tips.  Graphics are included.	Poster is neat and colorful.   It contains three good reasons for the bounty  or Abolitionist tips.	Poster is neat and colorful.  It contains at least five good reasons for the bounty or Abolitionist tips.
Safe House Floor Plan and Description	Floor plan includes five of less hideaways.  No description of hideaways.	Floor plan includes eight hideaways inside the house.  Description of hideaway needs work..	Floor plan contains eight hideaways inside the house. Descriptions explain how the hideaway works.	Floor plan is well thought out.  Good narrative description of at least ten hideaways inside the house.

Total Points Available:  12
Total Points Earned:  _____
 

Conclusion

The Underground Railroad was a dramatic protest against slavery in the United States.  It is an example of a time in American history when people of different races and religions came together to help those who were willing to risk their own lives to reach freedom.

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

03/05/02 11:05 AM
 
 
 
 
 

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