The Underground Railroads began between the late 1700's and 1865, the Underground Railroads were not railroads, they were a network of secret routes and safe houses. It was founded in the United States during the early to mid-19th century. It was used by African American slaves to escape to free states and Canada. People who provided a safe way to help escape slaves. Safe houses were stations where freedom-seeking slaves could rest and eat before moving on to the next station of their destinations. Underground railroads ran through 14 northern states and Canada, which slaves did not do. they exist, Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. In the time of this existence, more than 100,000 slaves were freed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Slavery was an unjust and brutal way of life, Black people were mistreated, overworked, underpaid (if paid at all), physically and brutally beaten and sometimes even killed, their lives were at the mercy of their owners . The people most involved in the Underground Railroad system were members of the free black community, as well as abolitionists, church leaders, and philanthropists. Abolitionists, both white and black, free and enslaved, with the help of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. One of the most famous members of the Underground Railroad was Harriet Tubman, also a runaway slave, she helped free more than 300 slaves. The Quakers in the North, who believed that slavery was wrong and who also helped escape slaves. If they were to be caught helping escaped slaves, they ran the risk of being hanged. They were slave owners and law officials who hunted slaves and those who helped them escape, eventually plotted to return the slaves to their "owners". Runaways sometimes traveled by boat or train, usually on foot or by carriage in groups of one or three slaves. Some groups were large, abolitionist Charles Turner Torrey and his colleagues rented horses and wagons. They often carried up to 15 or 20 slaves at the time. The journey was often difficult and dangerous for women and children. Sometimes it was difficult to keep the children quiet or they couldn't keep up with the group. Please note: This is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Enslaved women were rarely allowed to leave the plantations, making it more difficult to escape in the same way that men could. Runaway slaves were sometimes given other clothes to wear so they could The "slave" clothes did not attract attention. It was especially important if they were traveling by boat instead of in the dark night. A reverse subterranean movement began along the Ohio River. Free blacks were kidnapped and held in hideouts until they could be shipped back to the South and sold to slave owners. In 1865, slavery was abolished with the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution.