Escaping slavery was difficult regardless of location, as it required overcoming physical, legal, and social barriers such as surveillance, identification papers, and harsh consequences for attempted escapes. Some geographical factors, like proximity to free states or networks of support, could potentially make escaping slightly easier in certain areas, but it was a risky and challenging undertaking regardless of location.
Kunta Kinte did not escape. He was captured and enslaved in Africa, then transported to America where he lived the rest of his life as a slave. His story is depicted in Alex Haley's book "Roots: The Saga of an American Family."
An escaped slave who was caught and returned to slavery was known as a fugitive slave. These individuals were often pursued by slave catchers and faced considerable risks in their quest for freedom. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 made it a legal requirement for escaped slaves to be returned to their owners, further heightening the challenges faced by those seeking to escape.
Dred Scott, a slave who lived in a free territory for four years, sued for his freedom. The case went to the US Supreme Court, which ruled against him in the landmark Dred Scott v. Sandford decision in 1857. This decision further entrenched the institution of slavery in the United States.
Slave traders often resorted to physical restraints such as chains, shackles, or handcuffs to prevent slaves from escaping. They also used intimidation, violence, and threats to instill fear and discourage slaves from attempting to run away. Additionally, slave traders sometimes branded or tattooed slaves to make it easier to identify and track them if they did escape.
Southerners further restricted slaves' rights by implementing harsher slave codes that limited their movement, education, and ability to gather in groups. They also imposed more severe punishments for disobedience and escape attempts, creating a climate of fear and control over the enslaved population. Additionally, they sought to prevent any form of resistance or rebellion by implementing tighter surveillance and monitoring of slaves' activities.
false
false
they didnt escape in the daytime, they escaped in the night, so the slave owners couldn't see them
Mrs. Auld faced a conflict between her growing sympathy for enslaved individuals and the societal norms and expectations that supported slavery. This inner conflict led her to inadvertently encourage the literacy of Frederick Douglass, one of her enslaved individuals, which was frowned upon by the slaveholding society.
They will escape
the underground railroad
If they tried to escape in the day there slave masters would see them and call for help to catch the slave
A slave could be freed through different means, such as being granted manumission by their owner, purchasing their freedom, or being granted freedom by the government. In some cases, slaves could earn their freedom through exceptional service or through self-purchase agreements.
Harriet Tubman
She was slave and wanted to escape. That was her motivation.
Both
Jonathen Golden.