In social studies, we have learned that slaves just before the Civil War resisted or fought against slavery by running away or rebelling. Harriet Tubman escaped slavery using the Underground Railroad, and then returned to the South as a “conductor” on the railroad. Nat Turner led a slave rebellion that resulted in 60 men, women, and children being killed. In the end, all the slaves who took part in Turner’s Rebellion were caught, tried, and hung.
The actions of Harriet Tubman, Nat Turner and people running the Underground Railroad were breaking the laws of that time. Think about and respond to three or more of the following questions. It may be a good idea to draft your thoughts on paper before typing and posting them on the blog. Pay attention to paragraphing, punctuation, spelling and capitalization. Students who post a well planned, thoughtful comment can earn extra credit toward their lowest social studies grade for the quarter. You have until the end of school on Friday, October 9 to earn this extra credit. You will also earn extra points when you read your classmates comments and reply or “piggyback” off of their thoughts.
*If you had been a slave back in the 1850’s, would you have joined Nat Turner’s rebellion? Explain why you would or would not.
*If you had been a slave, would you have tried to escape to the North? Explain how you would or why you wouldn’t.
*If you had lived in the North and found a runaway slave, do you think you would have obeyed the Fugitive Slave Law and returned the person to slavery? Explain.
*After the Fugitive Slave Law was passed, would you have continued to run a station on the Underground Railroad? Explain yourself.
*Is it ever proper to break a law or use violence, even if you are fighting for a good cause? Explain yourself.
Remember, only well thought out and well written comments will earn extra credit.