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Underground Railroad

INTRODUCTION: The Underground Railroad was the result of committment and the search for higher moral values through the rebellion against laws during that time period. These people were willing to sacrifice their lives, so that others would realize that every life has value and meaning, and should be treated accordingly. The Underground Railroad was neither "underground" nor a "railroad". It got its name because it depended on secret "railroad" terminology or codes to let passengers know when they were in danger. Also, because the people who risked their their lives to help the slaves escape who referred to as "conductors", just like those who operate trains are called. The Underground Railroad was basically a network of routes that started in the South, through the North, and ended in Canada. The goal of the Underground Railroad was to safely take slaves to a land where they could live free lives. The escape routes were extended into western territories, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
The runaway slaves traveled either alone or in small groups. Once slavery was finally abolished the story was passed down to generations by means of oral tradition and written tradition. These included personal accounts and historic documentation.

TASK: Individually, you will be creating a timeline booklet about the Underground Railroad. This booklet should include dates and specific events that happened during the time of the Underground Railroad. You will be researching for your booklet using the websites provided under the section Resources. The only criteria for this booklet is that it pertains to the Underground Railroad and the dates should be in chronological order.

RESOURCES: During this activity, you may use the following websites for information and pictures.

Harriet Tubman played an important role in the underground railroad. Harriet Tubman was borm into slavery. She freed herself and helped millions of others to become free as well. There are many examples of timelines of her life. You may get information from this timeline when creating your own.

Sojourner Truth was an activist for women's rights and for the abolishment of slavery.

The Underground Railroad took place between the years of 1501-1865. During this time period many life changing events happened in the lives of African American slaves, such as the Fugitive Slave Act and the United States banned the trading of slaves.

John Brown was a strong Abolishionist, who felt it was his duty to end slavery by violence, if necessary.

Many people hid the slaves in their own houses in order to protect them from those who were sure to be looking for them. This caused problems between the abolitionists and the pro-slavery people in York County .

For Tice Davids and many other slaves getting to the Ohio River meant a chance at freedom.

PROCESS:
        1. Complete the Internet search and gather information to create your timeline with.
        2. During your Internet search you should write down five dates and the important events that occurred on those dates to use in your timeline. Remember, must be relevant to the Underground Railroad.
        3. Draw an illustration for each date, describing the event that happened on that date.
        4. Present your work to the whole class.

EVALUATION:

TASK	Poor (1 point)	Average (2 points)	Good (3 points)	Excellent (4 points)
Presentation	All 5 dates were present.	All 5 dates were present as well as at least 3 good pictures.	All 5 dates were present as well as 4 good pictures.	All 5 dates and color pictures were present.
Delivery	The presentation was somewhat interesting and engaging.	The presentation was interesting and engaged most of the audience.	The presentation was interesting and engaged all of the audience.	The presentation was interesting and involved all of the audience. The audience participated in the presentation.
History	The timeline presented had an accuracy of 50% and few details were presented.	The timeline presented had an accuracy of 75% and included some detail.	The timeline presented had an accuracy of 100% and included many details.	The timeline presented had an accuracy of 100% and included many details. Additional information was also provided.

CONCLUSION: In this activity you have learned how to research using the Internet to collect data in order to create your own timeline. Through this activity, you have learned many new facts about the Underground Railroad and the many people's lives it affected. This activity enhanced your ability to search on the Internet and to be able to put these ideas in your timeline.