Why did they call it the underground railroad if it wasnt a railroad?

Answer 1

The Underground Railroad was called a 'railroad' because there were multiple stops along the way for slaves to get food, clothes, and other supplies. It was called the 'underground' railroad because it was a mostly secret operation to get slaves from the South to the North and to Canada. Many would not stop in the North because they could still be captured and returned to their "owners."

The Underground Railroad was a secret network to the North for escaping slaves in the South prior to the US Civil War. It was a step-by-step passage created by escaped slaves and abolitionists, including sympathizers in the South. So it wasn't actually a railroad, or even under the ground, for the most part.

It is called "underground" in the same sense as the French Underground of World War II, a secret group within an oppressive society. The term "railroad" is used because, much like trains travelling from station to station, the slaves were moved north over a few days or weeks, usually at night. Anti-slavery sympathizers allowed the use of their houses and farms to feed, clothe, and hide the escapees.

Answer 2

They called it the underground railroad because it was hidden which is kind of like underground and it was a railroad because they had a route they followed like a train hence the name underground railroad

Answer 3

The term "underground" in underground railroad means secret. It also was not a road. It was more like a trail. So I guess if you were to say it literally, you would say "secret trail."

Answer 4

it was called a railroad because they did not stop for there freedom.

Answer 5

because railroads were a new invention back then,the slaves thought they where on a train.

Answer 6

It meant it was a secret network of safe-houses for smuggling slaves into Canada.

Answer 7

because its called underground railroad