What escape route did slaves use to get out of the South?

Question

Who led them?
Who found this route?

Answer 1

It was called the "Underground Railroad."

There was not a single leader, nor a single route.

It was a series of safe-houses or "stops" in which slaves could hide until they were able to go in safety to the next "Stop."

The "railroad" ran from the South into Canada, where it was safer for escaped slaves.

Answer 2

They followed the "Underground Railroad" which really wasn't always underground or a railroad at all. The slaves would pass messages through "Gullah" songs - with hints telling slaves to follow the north star or seek a certain route. People helped the slaves along to the north. The most used outlet was at Amherstburg, Ontario - just across from Michigan - where you'll find the North American Black Museum.

Btw....even in free states, slave owners could pursue escaped slaves and take them back to the south so they had to make it to Canada who was a colony of England, a country which had outlawed slavery years before. Not that people didn't stand up for the slaves - most noteably in Marshall, Michigan when the townspeople refused to allow a slave owner to reclaim his slave.

Answer 3

Slaves used various means to escape slavery, running away, mailing themselves to a free state and the most famous network is the Underground Railroad. To learn more about the Underground Railroad review this entry on Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_railroad.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center located in Cincinnati, Ohio offers information on the stories and heros of the Underground railroad. http://www.freedomcenter.org/

Answer 4

There was more than one person who helped escaping slaves, but many would try to make it on their own--with only the North Star to guide them. Information about this star was passed along in a work song called "Follow the Drinking Gourd" ; another name for the Big Dipper, the brightest star in that constellation is Polaris; the North Star. Chance encounters with other slaves would often result in valuable information about sympathetic whites, and whereabouts of "paddy-rollers"--bounty hunters for escaped slaves, food and change of clothing, as well as directions.

Answer 5

The route was known as the Underground Railroad. Harriett Tubman was the person who led them.

Answer 6

What is the Navy Way route?