American History · 8th Grade · Reform, Manifest Destiny & Sectional Crisis · Weeks 19-27

Underground Railroad & Resistance to Slavery

Explore the network of safe houses and routes used by enslaved people to escape to freedom.

• Common Core State Standards
• C3: D2.His.14.6-8
• C3: D2.Geo.6.6-8

About This Topic

Manifest Destiny and Texas explores the mid-19th-century belief that the United States was divinely ordained to expand across the North American continent. Students learn about the settlement of Mexican Texas, the Texas Revolution (including the Alamo), and the eventual annexation of the Lone Star Republic. The curriculum emphasizes how this expansion was driven by a mix of nationalism, economic desire for land, and the belief in American exceptionalism.

This topic is a key driver of the sectional crisis, as every new territory raised the question of whether slavery would be allowed to expand. It also highlights the complex relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. This topic comes alive when students can analyze the 'push and pull' factors of westward migration and simulate the political debates over annexation.

Key Questions

1. Explain the dangers and challenges faced by those involved in the Underground Railroad.
2. Analyze the courage and ingenuity of conductors like Harriet Tubman.
3. Evaluate the impact of the Underground Railroad on the abolitionist cause.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the risks and obstacles faced by freedom seekers and those who aided them on the Underground Railroad.
• Evaluate the strategic decisions and bravery of key figures, such as Harriet Tubman, in facilitating escapes.
• Explain the methods and networks used by enslaved people to resist bondage and seek freedom.
• Synthesize information to assess the significance of the Underground Railroad in advancing the abolitionist movement.

Before You Start

Slavery in the Antebellum South

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of the institution of slavery, including its brutal realities and the legal status of enslaved people, to comprehend the motivations and risks associated with escape.

Colonial America and the Early Republic

Why: Familiarity with early American concepts of liberty and freedom, as well as the ongoing debates about human rights, provides context for the abolitionist movement and resistance efforts.

Key Vocabulary

Underground Railroad	A secret network of safe houses, routes, and people who helped enslaved African Americans escape to free states and Canada.
Freedom Seeker	An enslaved person who escaped or attempted to escape from bondage in search of freedom.
Conductor	Individuals who guided freedom seekers along the routes of the Underground Railroad, often facing great personal danger.
Station	A safe house or location along the Underground Railroad where freedom seekers could rest, eat, and find shelter.
Abolitionist	A person who advocated for the immediate end of slavery.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Manifest Destiny was a law or official government policy.

What to Teach Instead

It was a popular *belief* or ideology that influenced government policy. Peer discussion on 'nationalism' helps students see how a shared idea can drive a country's actions even without a formal law.

Common Misconception

The Texas Revolution was just about 'freedom' from a tyrant.

What to Teach Instead

While Santa Anna was a dictator, a major cause of the rebellion was the Mexican government's ban on slavery, which many American settlers refused to follow. A 'multi-cause' analysis helps students see the complexity of the conflict.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: The Art of Manifest Destiny

Students analyze John Gast's famous painting 'American Progress.' They use sticky notes to identify symbols of 'civilization' (trains, telegraphs) and what is being 'pushed out' (Native Americans, buffalo, darkness).

30 min·Individual

Think-Pair-Share: The Texas Dilemma

Students read about why the U.S. waited nine years to annex Texas. They discuss in pairs the two main fears: starting a war with Mexico and upsetting the balance between slave and free states.

25 min·Pairs

Role Play: Settling in Texas

Students act as American settlers in Mexican Texas. They must decide whether to follow the Mexican government's rules (becoming Catholic, banning slavery) or rebel, experiencing the tensions that led to the Texas Revolution.

40 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Historians and researchers at institutions like the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, meticulously document personal stories and routes to preserve this history for future generations.
• Modern human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, draw parallels between the courage of Underground Railroad participants and contemporary activists fighting against human trafficking and oppression.
• Genealogists use historical records, including slave schedules and runaway advertisements, to trace the journeys of individuals and families seeking freedom, connecting present-day descendants to their ancestors' struggles.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a conductor on the Underground Railroad. What are the top three dangers you would anticipate, and what specific strategies would you employ to mitigate them?' Facilitate a class discussion where students share their responses and justify their choices.

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a map showing key routes or cities associated with the Underground Railroad. Ask them to identify one challenge faced by freedom seekers traveling through a specific region and one way a 'conductor' might have helped them overcome it.

Quick Check

Present students with short biographical sketches of individuals involved in the Underground Railroad (e.g., Harriet Tubman, William Still). Ask them to write one sentence explaining the primary role each person played and one act of courage they demonstrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Manifest Destiny' mean?

It was the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined by God to expand its dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Why did Americans move to Texas in the first place?

The Mexican government initially invited American settlers to Texas to help develop the land and act as a buffer against Native American raids. Settlers were attracted by cheap, fertile land that was perfect for growing cotton.

What was the significance of the Alamo?

The Battle of the Alamo was a major defeat for the Texans, but the bravery of the defenders became a powerful rallying cry ('Remember the Alamo!'). It inspired more people to join the Texan army, eventually leading to their victory over Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto.

How can active learning help students understand Manifest Destiny?

Active learning, such as analyzing the symbolism in 'American Progress' or role-playing the settlers' choices, helps students see Manifest Destiny as a powerful but controversial idea. When students have to weigh the 'pros and cons' of annexation, they engage with the same political tensions that divided the nation. This approach helps them understand that expansion was not an inevitable 'destiny' but a series of deliberate and often contested choices.