- Definition
The Underground Railroad was a secret network of routes and safe houses that helped enslaved Black people escape from the southern United States to freedom in the North or Canada.
A 'conductor' like Harriet Tubman would guide a group of freedom-seekers at night from one 'station,' like a hidden room in a barn, to the next.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Imagine a secret network of helpers guiding someone through a dangerous game, passing them from one safe hiding spot to the next until they reached a safe home base.
Ask your child: Imagine you were a 'conductor.' What would you need to do to keep people safe?
Common mix-up: Many people mistakenly think the Underground Railroad was a real train that ran in tunnels. It was actually a secret network of people, routes, and safe houses used to help enslaved people escape to freedom.
Examples
- A 'station master' might hide escaping people in a secret cellar or attic during the day.
- Abolitionists used secret codes in songs or quilts to communicate information about safe routes.
Underground Railroad is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
