The+Underground+Railroad

 __Introduction__ You (and possibly family) live in the Elmira/Horseheads area in the time period before the Civil War. You have heard rumors about neighbors helping slaves who have escaped from the South, but have always dismissed it as nonsense. Until....your best friend comes and begs you for help. He has been hiding escaped slaves, but thinks that the authorities are on to him. He asks you to hide them in the secret room you have in the attic. What will you do? You have never broken a law before and could lose everything you own as well as your freedom if you are caught.

__Task__ After researching the history and function of the Underground Railroad, you will be writing a letter to your friend telling him about your decision wether or not to help.

__Process__ Before your final decision, list out your options and the consequences for each. Think about the slaves and what will likely happen to them if they are caught. Also consider yourself and your family and what would happen to you if people in your community discovered what you have done. Research the history of the Underground Railroad and the people involved. Based on the scenario you have been given, will you help the runaway slaves? Some questions to consider: How will you hide the slaves? How will you transport the slaves? Is this something you could do without causing your neighbors to become suspicious? After you have made your decision, write a letter to your neighbor stating what you have decided, pose a question that supports the issue, support that decision with at least three facts from your research and explain how that supports your decision. Your letter needs to be typed using Word.

__Resources__ [] Lots of good information as well as an interactive activity called “the Journey” [] Talks about Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman [] Great site-Use for Civil War Kids [] [] Links about activists [] Harriet Tubman [] Stories of former slaves [] [] info about Underground Railroad in Ohio [] Fugitive Slave Act [] [] About St. James Church in Ithaca [] What type of people were involved [] Words to “Follow the Drinking Gourd” which contained clues for escaping slaves. [] Language of quilts [] slaveholder view [] Primary document about slave treatment from slave owner perspective