Resistance+to+Slavery

=Resistance to Slavery=

The Underground Railroad was a route to freedom used by slaves that escaped their plantations. It went all the way through the U.S. and even into Canada. There were homes or stations along the route where the slaves could stay. Sometimes the slaves were able to hitch a ride to the next station. No matter what, the runaway slaves always hid and slept in the day so they wouldn't be seen while traveling from station to station by the darkness of night. There were people, such as Harriet Tubman, who were known as Conductors of the Underground Railroad. The Conductors would make trips to the South so they could help guide runaway slaves to the North and lead them to freedom. There were many codes in which runaways and the people at the stations could communicate. They had songs they sang, such as Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Follow the Drinking Gourd; also, they communicated by leaving certain lanterns or candles in certain places in their house. Around 50,000 slaves were able to escape by using the Underground Railroad. Slave owners were greatly discouraged because of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was essential in allowing slaves a chance for a new life of freedom. -Ben Zw. Slaves found many ways in which they could resist their owners will and annoy him. Most slaves didn't create huge rebellions but instead did small things from day to day such as breaking equipment and machinery, faking illness, destroying crops, stealing food and even going to the point of injuring themselves so that they could not be put to work. Slaves also ran away to upset their owners. Although many tried running away, few succeeded to getting away for more than a few days before being found and recaptured. Slaves also ran away to try and find family members who had been sold to other plantations. Slaves fought back daily and caused a lot of trouble for their owners. -Ben Zw. When slave owners found out about slaves disobeying or causing trouble, they were usually whipped many times, often to the point of raw skin and bloody wounds. Most slaves had scars on their backs from the constant physical mistreatment given to them by their owners. Owners would also ensure that if slaves were with family or friends on the plantation, they would split up and sell slaves so that they would never see their loved ones again. Splitting up and selling slaves was a very common emotional punishment along with the physical whippings. Slaves were also branded so that when they ran away and their branding was seen, others would know who the slave belonged to. It was legal for slaves to be punished like this because they were not thought of or regarded as humans. They were thought of as less than human because of the color of their darker skin. We now all know that the way they were treated was wrong. At the time, only some people thought the way slaves were being treated was wrong. Slaves lives were tough and filled with agony and pain from the punishment they received. -Ben Zw.
 * What was the Underground Railroad?
 * What were some ways slaves resisted?
 * How did slave owners retaliate?