The Underground Railroads began in the late 1700s-1865, the Underground Railroads were not railroads, but a network of secret routes and refuges. They were established 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 slaves escape. Shelters were stations where slaves seeking freedom could rest and eat before moving on to the next station of their destination. The Underground Railroads passed through 14 Northern states and into Canada, something slaves did not do. exist, Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. At the time of this existence, over 100,000 slaves were freed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essaySlavery 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, black and white, free and enslaved, with the help of abolitionists and allies sympathetic to their cause. One of the most famous members of the Underground Railroad was Harriet Tubman who is also a runaway slave, she would help free over 300 slaves. Northern Quakers, who believed slavery was wrong and also helped escape slaves. If they were caught helping escaped slaves, they risked being hanged. to return the slaves to their “owners”. Fugitives sometimes traveled by boat or train, usually on foot or by wagon in groups of one or three slaves. Some groups were major abolitionists Charles Turner Torrey and his colleagues rented horses and wagons. They often transported up to 15 or 20 slaves at a time. The journey was often difficult and dangerous for women and children. The children sometimes had difficulty remaining silent or were unable to follow the group. Keep in mind: This is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a personalized essay. Slave women were rarely allowed to leave the plantation, making it more difficult to escape in the same way as men. Sometimes runaway slaves were given other clothes to wear so that their "slave" clothes would not attract attention. This was important, especially if they were traveling by ship rather than in the dark of night. Along the Ohio River, a reverse underground movement began. Free blacks were kidnapped and kept in hiding places until they could be returned South and sold to slave owners. In 1865, slavery was abolished with the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution..