What was the Underground Railroad?

The underground railroad was an informal network of people who, although in violation of the "Fugitive Slave Act" helped escaped slaves reach freedom in Northern States or Canada.

The underground railroad wasn't actually a railroad nor was it underground. It was actually a system where slaves would go from house to house until they could escape to freedom. The underground railroad was an escape route for slaves to travel from safe house to safe house and head to the north.

It was an 'underground' organization. That is, it was not publicized, and kept secret from authorities at the time. It was called a railroad, because the way it was organized was akin to the way railroads were run. With various stops along the way (Safe houses) and conductors leading them (Often born-free blacks).

Harriet Tubman was a major figure in the history of the underground railroad.
The Underground Railroad was used to help slaves in the U.S. escape to states that were free.