10/17/2009 The Underground Railroad The Illinois Connection

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The Underground RailroadThe Illinois Connection

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Introduction

The Underground Rail Road consisted of a passageway for slaves who planned an escape to freedom. Freedom meant that African American men and women no longer were pieces of property, to be owned, worked to death, beaten, bought and sold. Freedom meant free men, women and children who could come and go as they pleased.

The Railroad passage was secret and because of that secrecy it is difficult to find documents of all the various routes, maps, conductors’ names and safe houses who helped the run-a-way slaves. But this much we know, Illinois was a major rail way and several conductors lived close by where we live today.

In this lesson you will learn about the various safe houses in Illinois and read about a conductor who lived nearby and how he helped his passengers get to the next station stop on the Underground Rail Road.

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Lets Begin An Incredible Journey…

What do these people have in common?

Harriet TubmanFredrick DouglassWilliam Still Henry “Box” Brown

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Did You Guess? They were all ________ who

escaped slavery and became free men and women.

Who can give information about each one of these people and what they did?

You will become a researcher finding out about the history of these famous people and presenting your research to the class!

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Henry “Box” Brown is another important person you should know.

Find out how a box was important to Henry. Read the book, Henry’s Freedom Box to find out how important this box was to Henry. After reading the book, write down and report:

About Henry’s life; where did he live and what did he do. Tell if he had a family. Why did he use the box? Where did he end up with the box? Tell what happened at the end of the story.

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Harriet Tubman How did Harriet escape?

Where did she escape to?How many trips did she make?

Use the links below to find research on Harriet Tubman.

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/tubman  http://www.elm.esu3.org/elementary_/3B/Colling/Students/taren/web/Harret%20Tubman%20Facts.html

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Fredrick Douglass

How did Fredrick escape?

Where did he escape from?

How did he get there?

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William Still

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William Still?

Who is William Still and what did he do?

Did he escape?Did he help slaves escape? Does he have a connection to

Illinois?

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What is a safe house?

Discuss and write down what you think a safe house is;

then go find information on safe houses!

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How many states were a part of the United States from 1840 to 1865?

Discuss and write down your answer.*

Name the states that were located in the Midwest.

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Did former slaves use maps? Can you name something they used to direct them.

Can you make a map of your community with landmarks? Imagine you are a fugitive slave. Plan an escape route and design a map for someone else to use to follow you to freedom.

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John Ton was someone who lived in Illinois and helped run-a-way slaves. He is the Illinois Connection.

Follow the link below to find out who he was and what he did. Also, what major highway exists today near where he lived?

http://www.fieldmuseum.org/calumet/Riverdale.html

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Read and find out who John Ton was and plan your get away stopping past his safe house.

You live in Kentucky and you want to get to John Ton.You must have a secret map!

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I hope you learned something new about Illinois and perhaps you will go to visit some of the historical sites that are located right here in and around where we live.

Now it is time to Present! Who wants to go first?

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