Freedom Train

How was Henson’s family able to make the trip to freedom? They traveled by the Underground Railroad, which was not really a railroad and did not go underground, either. The Underground Railroad was a set of paths made of people who helped slaves run away.

People along the Underground Railroad assisted runaways. They gave them food and a place to stay. They carried runaways closer to freedom in boats or wagons.

Paths to Freedom

Paths to Freedom

Interpret the Map Choose one path of the Underground Railroad. Name all the states it went through.

  • Free States

  • Slave States

Key Vocabulary

  • assist v., to help

Historical Background

The Underground Railroad helped between 40,000 and 100,000 slaves escape. Some people, like Harriet Tubman, escaped and then returned to the southern states to help others find freedom.