American History Tellers
The Underground Railroad | Crossing the Line | 3
Feb 21, 2024
The podcast delves into the largest escape attempt by enslaved people in American history, sparking riots in Washington. It explores daring escape attempts, betrayal, and the harsh consequences faced by those defying slavery, with gripping stories of perilous journeys to freedom and political struggles over the expansion of slavery.
39:42
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Quick takeaways
- The largest escape attempt by enslaved individuals in American history occurred in 1848, intensifying tensions between slaveowners and fugitive slaves.
- Josiah Henson's settlement in Canada paved the way for former slaves to become landowners, highlighting the challenges faced by freed individuals.
Deep dives
The Mysterious Disappearance of Enslaved Persons in Washington, D.C. in 1848
On April 16, 1848, 77 enslaved individuals vanished from various homes in Washington, D.C., boarding a ship in an escape attempt. The escape stirred panic, reflecting a time of increased daring escapes by enslaved people in the 1840s, contributing to southerner's paranoia. The underground railroad, although overestimated by slave owners, fueled demands for harsher legislation to capture and deter runaway slaves, underlining the tension between free and slave states.
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