Resistance+to+Slavery


 * Underground Railroad**

The Underground Railroad was an organized system to assist runaway slaves. It moved hundreds of slaves north every year. There was a vast network of people who helped fugitive/runaway slaves escape to the north and to Canada, though it was not run by any organization or person. There was a network of houses and other buildings used to help slaves escapes to Canada or northern states. According to the estimate the South lost 100,000 slaves between 1810 and 1850 from the slaves escaping. The network of escape routes were described by using railroad terms. The guides that led the slaves were called 'conductors' and they led them from one 'station' to another in the system of escaping routes. The runaways traveled secretly at night because they had a better chance of not being caught since it was dark outside. They were hidden in 'safe houses', barns,and haylofts in the day. Thousands of antislavery campaigners, both black and white, risked their lives to operate the railway. The Underground Railroad operated many years before and during the civil war, but then it was not needed when the war was over because all of the slaves had been freed.


 * Passive Resistance**

Passive Resistance was a non violent resistance and a resistance to slavery. It was the most popular form for slaves to run away. They used songs to resist slavery and sing to communicate. The slaves were not allowed to talk, so their masters allowed them to sing; it was the most popular way to resist slavery. The masters had no idea that the slaves were using songs to communicate to each other. The slaves would pretend to be sick, broke tools on purpose, or runaway. All slaves knew the great chance of getting caught, and the price they would have to pay. Something that slaves did to either annoy, hurt, or kill the master/the person in command would sabotage, refusing work, singing, or poisoning. They would also break tools to get out of work; it lead to severe beating.


 * Riots**

In New York there was a riot where twenty three slaves killed nine whites, and twenty six were injured. Seventy of African Americans were arrested and twenty one were killed after getting put in jail. This event happened in 1712. When slaves tried to fight back for their freedom it just got them in trouble or caused them to be killed, so there was really no point. Rioting did not help anything so their best bet was to escape by using the Underground Railroad.