During the American Civil War, the United States was in a fierce battle, and one of the biggest issues was the fight for the freedom of Black slaves, especially in the Southern states. Even before the war started, many brave people were trying to help slaves escape to freedom. One of the most famous of these heroes was Harriet Tubman, whose story is both amazing and inspiring.
Harriet Tubman was born in March 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland. Her real name was Araminta Ross, but people called her Minty. She was born into slavery because her parents, Harriet and Ben, worked on a plantation. Although records about her birth are not very clear, most historians agree she was born in 1822. Her grandmother had been brought to America on a slave ship, and her family faced many hardships due to slavery. Three of her sisters were sold away, and they never saw them again. Harriet’s mother once stood up to stop her son from being sold, which inspired Harriet to be brave.
Harriet started working as a nursemaid when she was just 5 or 6 years old. She also helped take care of her siblings and worked for a local farmer, checking muskrat traps. Despite the tough conditions, she found smart ways to avoid punishment, like wearing extra clothes and hiding for days. As she grew older, her work became harder, including tasks like plowing fields and hauling logs.
Although Harriet couldn’t read, she learned a lot about the Bible from her mother. Her life changed dramatically when she was hit in the head by a metal weight thrown by a plantation supervisor. This injury caused her to have seizures and painful headaches, but it also gave her visions that inspired her to fight for freedom.
Harriet faced many challenges in her quest for freedom. Although her parents were supposed to be freed at age 45, their owners ignored this promise. In 1844, Harriet married a free Black man named John Tubman, but she was still a slave. In 1849, after her owner died, Harriet decided to escape. She tried to flee with her brothers, but they returned out of fear. Harriet then escaped on her own, using songs with hidden messages to communicate with her family. She traveled at night, guided by the stars and the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped slaves escape.
Harriet’s journey to freedom was dangerous, but she made it to Pennsylvania and felt truly free. However, she knew her family and many others were still enslaved. In December 1850, she learned her niece and her children were going to be sold, so she went back to Maryland to rescue them. With the help of her husband, John Burley, she successfully brought them to safety.
Over the years, Harriet made many trips back to Maryland, helping her family and other slaves escape. She became more confident and clever in her missions, often traveling in winter to avoid capture. Despite the risks, she was never caught.
In 1855, Harriet rescued her parents, who had gained their freedom but were still in danger. She took them to Canada and helped reunite her family. In 1858, she met John Brown, an abolitionist planning an armed revolt against slavery. Although she didn’t agree with his methods, they became close allies.
When the Civil War began in 1861, Harriet joined a group of abolitionists in South Carolina to help care for escaped slaves. She helped organize a regiment of soldiers made up of former slaves and worked under General David Hunter. Harriet even became the first woman to lead a military operation during the war, freeing over 750 slaves in one raid.
After the war, Harriet returned to New York, where she cared for her family and continued to fight for civil rights and women’s suffrage. Despite facing financial and health challenges, she remained active in her community and helped establish a home for the elderly. Harriet Tubman passed away in 1913, leaving behind a legacy of courage and determination in the fight for freedom.
Research and create a timeline of Harriet Tubman’s life events. Include key moments such as her birth, escape from slavery, and her efforts in the Underground Railroad. Use images and short descriptions to make your timeline visually appealing and informative.
Work in groups to role-play a journey on the Underground Railroad. Assign roles such as Harriet Tubman, escaping slaves, and conductors. Discuss the challenges faced and the strategies used to ensure safety. Reflect on the emotions and decisions involved in such a journey.
Imagine you are Harriet Tubman during one of her missions to rescue slaves. Write a diary entry describing your thoughts, fears, and hopes. Consider the risks involved and the motivation that drives you to continue your work.
Create a poster that highlights Harriet Tubman’s achievements and legacy. Use quotes, images, and facts to showcase her impact on the fight for freedom and civil rights. Present your poster to the class and explain why Harriet is an important historical figure.
Conduct research on the Underground Railroad and its significance in American history. Prepare a presentation that explains how it operated, who was involved, and its impact on the abolition of slavery. Use maps and visuals to enhance your presentation.
During the American Civil War, the country was embroiled in intense conflict, making it remarkable that it still exists today. One of the most significant struggles was for the freedom of Black slaves, particularly in the American South, where the right to own slaves was a primary factor in the war’s inception. Even before the war, many individuals were seeking ways to help slaves attain freedom. Harriet Tubman was a key figure in this movement, and her story is rich and inspiring.
Harriet Tubman was born in March 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland. Her birth name was Araminta Ross, and she was affectionately known as Minty. She was born into slavery, as her parents, Harriet and Ben, worked on a plantation near the Blackwater River. While records about her birth are scarce, historians generally agree on the year 1822, although her gravestone states 1820, and she herself claimed it was 1825.
Not much is known about her family, except that her grandmother arrived in America on a slave ship. Her mother worked as a cook for the plantation owner, while her father oversaw timber production. The couple had nine children, including Harriet, but the family struggled to stay together as the reach of slavery expanded. Three of their daughters were sold away, losing contact with the family forever. When there was an attempt to sell one of their sons, Harriet’s mother boldly refused, leading to the cancellation of the sale. This act of defiance inspired Harriet.
Harriet began working as a nursemaid at the age of 5 or 6 while also helping to care for her siblings. She worked for a local planter named James Cook, checking muskrat traps on his property. Despite the harsh conditions, she developed clever ways to avoid punishment, such as wearing extra layers of clothing and running away for days. As she entered her teenage years, she faced increasingly difficult tasks, including plowing and hauling logs.
Harriet was unable to read but was well-versed in the Bible, thanks to her mother’s teachings. However, her life took a turn when she suffered a severe head injury caused by a metal weight thrown by a plantation supervisor during an escape attempt by another slave. This injury resulted in seizures and excruciating headaches, leading her to experience visions. This traumatic event shifted her focus from the New Testament to stories of revolution and freedom.
Harriet faced significant obstacles to freedom, including the practice of manumission, which allowed slave owners to formally free their slaves. Although her parents were supposed to be granted manumission at the age of 45, their owners ignored this agreement. In 1844, Harriet married a free Black man named John Tubman, but her status as a slave remained unchanged.
In 1849, after the death of her owner, Harriet decided to escape. On September 17, 1849, she and two of her brothers fled, but they returned after two weeks due to fear. Harriet then escaped again, this time alone, using coded messages through songs to communicate with her family. She traveled at night, guided by the stars and the Underground Railroad, a network of activists and former slaves aiding escapees.
Harriet’s journey to freedom was perilous, requiring her to hide during the day and travel at night. Upon crossing into Pennsylvania, she felt a profound sense of liberation. However, her family and millions of other slaves remained in bondage. In December 1850, she learned that her niece and her children were to be sold, prompting her to return to Maryland for a rescue mission. With the help of her husband, John Burley, she successfully brought her niece and the children to safety.
Over the years, Harriet made numerous trips back to Maryland, rescuing family members and other slaves. She became increasingly confident in her missions, leading many to freedom. She often traveled during the winter to minimize the risk of capture and devised clever tactics to avoid detection. Despite the dangers, she was never caught.
In 1855, Harriet rescued her parents, who had gained their freedom but still faced danger. She brought them to Canada, where she helped reunite her family. In 1858, she met abolitionist John Brown, who sought her assistance in his plans for armed revolt against slavery. Although she did not agree with his methods, they became close allies.
As the Civil War began in 1861, Harriet joined a group of abolitionists and traveled to South Carolina to assist in caring for escaped slaves. She helped organize a regiment of soldiers made up of former slaves and worked under General David Hunter. Despite facing opposition from President Abraham Lincoln, Harriet continued her efforts to aid the Union cause.
Harriet Tubman became the first woman to lead a military operation during the Civil War, guiding soldiers in raids that freed over 750 slaves. After the war, she returned to New York, where she cared for her family and continued her advocacy for civil rights and women’s suffrage.
In her later years, Harriet faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and health issues. She remained active in her community, advocating for the rights of former slaves and contributing to the establishment of a home for the aged. Harriet Tubman passed away in 1913, leaving behind a legacy of courage and determination in the fight for freedom.
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Harriet – A reference to Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist and political activist who was born into slavery and later helped others escape through the Underground Railroad. – Harriet Tubman is celebrated for her bravery and leadership in guiding enslaved people to freedom.
Tubman – Referring to Harriet Tubman, known for her role in the abolitionist movement and her efforts in the Underground Railroad. – Tubman risked her life to lead many enslaved individuals to safety and freedom.
Slavery – The practice of owning people as property and forcing them to work without pay. – Slavery was a significant issue in the United States, leading to the Civil War and the eventual abolition of the practice.
Freedom – The state of being free, not under the control or in the power of another; liberty. – After the Civil War, many formerly enslaved people celebrated their newfound freedom.
Underground – Referring to the secret network of routes and safe houses used to help enslaved people escape to free states and Canada, known as the Underground Railroad. – The Underground Railroad was a critical pathway to freedom for many escaping slavery.
Railroad – In historical context, part of the term “Underground Railroad,” a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. – The term “railroad” in the Underground Railroad was metaphorical, as it was not an actual railroad but a series of safe routes.
Abolitionist – A person who advocated for the ending of slavery. – Abolitionists played a crucial role in raising awareness and pushing for the end of slavery in the United States.
Civil – Relating to the rights of citizens and their protection by law. – The Civil Rights Movement sought to secure equal rights and eliminate racial discrimination.
Rights – Legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement. – The fight for civil rights aimed to ensure that all individuals had equal access to opportunities and protections under the law.
Legacy – Something handed down from the past, such as traditions, achievements, or values. – The legacy of the Civil Rights Movement continues to influence social justice efforts today.
Escape – To break free from confinement or control. – Many enslaved people risked their lives to escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
