Slavery: The Underground Railroad
These sites are about the Underground Railroad movement that helped runaway slaves escape to Canada. Learn about Harriet Tubman and other influential leaders. Listen to songs and read the lyrics that secretly told the escape route. Play a game that allows you to face the same decisions the runaway slaves faced. Includes maps and historic photographs, plus a link to an eThemes Resource on the slave trade and quilts.
Grades
- 4,
- 5,
- 6,
- 7,
- 8,
- 9,
- 10,
- 11,
- 12
Links
-
Underground Railroad
This site takes a general look at the subject of slavery. Click on "African Americans in Slavery" and "In Search of Freedom" at the bottom to read more. This is a good site for an overview on slavery.
-
National Geographic: The Underground Railroad: The Journey
This is a media-rich site that tries to give you a sense of what slavery was like. You are a slave on the Underground Railroad and have to make decisions on the path toward freedom. Don't miss the drop-down box at the top, which has a timeline, information about key people, and more. NOTE: The site includes ads.
-
PBS: American Experience: The Underground Railroad
This PBS site covers the history of the underground railroad. The "Historian Video" link at the bottom has an expert discussing the Underground Railroad. "Primary Source Documents" tell of first-hand accounts of slavery.
-
ThinkQuest: Josiah Henson
Read about this former slave, his escape, and his friendship with Harriet Beecher Stowe.
-
Harriet Tubman Timeline
Take a look at the major events in the life of Harriet Tubman. Includes a link to information on her New York house.
-
The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
Read about the history of the Underground Railroad.
-
The Milton House Museum
This inn was a stop on the Underground Railroad through Wisconsin. Visit "Historical Information" to read about the inn and its owner.
-
Enchanted Learning: Harriet Tubman Printout
Read a brief biography of Harriet Tubman. At the top of the page, click on the links for a printout, timeline, and quizzes.
-
Underground Railroad
This is the official site for the Underground Railroad Museum being built in Ohio. Explore the links to watch videos.
-
Aboard the Underground Railroad
This site has a map of sites that were part of the Underground Railroad. Click on a state, then follow the links to read the history of the buildings. There is also information about antislavery and the Civil War.
-
Spirituals
This cross curricular lesson plan for grades 9-12 introduces students to the role of spirituals in African American history.
-
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Learn about the life and accomplishments of Harriet Tubman on this site. There are pictures, timelines, puzzles, a quiz, and more.
-
Quilts and the Underground Railroad Revisited
Read this interview with historian Giles R. Wright to learn about the "Quilt Code" controversy. NOTE: Reading level is for older students. NOTE: This site contains ads.
-
The Symbolism of Underground Railroad Quilts
Here is a long article about quilt history, the Underground Railroad, and the Underground Railroad Quilt Code controversy. NOTE: Reading level is for older students. NOTE: This site contains ads.
-
Myths and Codes From the Underground Railroad
This 30-page PDF file contains a lesson plan for grades six though nine about the myths surrounding the Underground Railroad.
-
eThemes Resource: Slavery: Slave Trade
These sites provide information on the slave trade that involved the United States and Africa. See maps of the sailing routes, and read first-hand accounts of slave life. Take part in a simulated slave auction.
-
eThemes Resource: Quilts: Underground Railroad
These sites are about the Underground Railroad and the secret codes it used. Here you can find background information, a glossary of code terms, maps, and interactive features. Students can design their own quilt blocks and learn about African American quilting traditions. Included is an eThemes resource on the Underground Railroad.
Education Standards
- AR
- AL
- MO
- NV
- UT
