Intro

In 1822, Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland (Dawson).  While in slavery, Tubman faced many cruelties such as being hit in the head with an iron weight (“A Devoted Friend of Slaves”).  Tubman made her escape after her marriage because she feared being sold further into slavery (“Harriet Tubman”). After escaping, Tubman found work as a maid (“Harriet Tubman”). In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed (Dawson). This piece of legislation made assisting slaves to freedom as well as giving slaves directions to escape illegal and gave masters the ability to reclaim the slaves after they escaped as their property (“Harriet Tubman”). This was the reason in which Tubman joined the Underground Railroad (“Harriet Tubman”).