Essay Sample on Underground Railway

Introduction

The Underground Railroad was a network of undisclosed routes used by African-American natives to get away to Free states. Slaves used the railroad to escape from the native holding states. The natives were a combination of blacks and whites who were helped to escape to freedom. The Underground Railroad provided food and shelter to the slaves through the various stations that were underground based. It consisted of various meeting points, under covered routes, transportation and secure house. There were various set routes which were indirect to bedevil slave catchers(Gara,Larry.2013). The rescued slaves would move from south to the north. The slaves traveled at night and during the day they could rest. The natives refreshed in stations that were located in hideouts that were namely; caves and under church floors. The clue concerning the escape of natives through railroads was passed by mouth means. Despite of southern newspapers offering rewards for the capture and returned slaves, they had been taken to Free states hence could not be easily found. The Underground Railroad operators were business owners, ministers and farmers.

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Railroad was established in the United States during the 1700's. It ran across various states in the north to Canada. Some of the routes were connected to Mexico and docks where people could be transported to Free states. By 1850 a lot of slaves had escaped through the railroad. President Bill Clinton allowed a law that instructed for setting up Underground Railroad programs that favored its proper establishment. Underground Railroad existed for a long period. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed liberating natives in Free states. The amendment of the constitution concerning slavery was approved in 1865.This amendment led to abolishment of slavery in the United States. This marked the end of the Underground Railroad.

Frederick Douglas was fair in his criticism of the railroad. He felt that the Underground Railroad was publically endorsed. He feels that the slaves were logically unprepared to attain freedom. Fredrick Douglas's ambition was to end slave trade and bring equality and freedom to the natives. He advocated for the women's rights. Douglas insinuated for the rights of women to vote. The advocacy came about due to the disrespect of the women rights. He participated in the government and strongly spoke against degradation of women.

Although Douglas felt that the railroad led to much exposure of the slaves and brought risk to the slave owners, his fear was about the slaves at the North and slaves at the south. His argument was based on the fact that; in as much as the underground railroad was good the remaining slaves in the South would undergo torture and subjugation to harsh condition(Levine,Ellen.2016). He fought for implementation of proclamation which President Abraham Lincoln had signed as a law, thus did not put it into practice. The law was not put into consideration as ex-slaves were denied a right to vote. Frederick Douglas was fair in his criticism as he led to equality and women's rights. He was a voice to ex-natives.

Conclusion

Conclusively, underground Railroad was a network of secret safe used to free natives to freedom. It consisted of indirect routes to avoid slave catchers. It consisted of routes that were headed by conductors who organized for the transportation of the slaves. The natives were provided with shelter and food. Underground Railroad linked various states. Abraham Lincoln led to an amendment which was to end slavery though the law was put into action as women were denied their rights and freedom. Frederick Douglas was fair in his criticism as he argued that the slaves were unprepared. He considered the remaining Southern slaves who would be subjected to harsh conditions.

Work Cited

Gara, Larry. The Liberty Line: The Legend of the Underground Railroad. University Press of Kentucky, 2013.Levine, Ellen. If you traveled on the Underground Railroad. Scholastic Inc., 2016.