The family boarded a small boat and crossed the Ohio River into Indiana.
What was Henson's life like?
He lived a life of slavery. He lived on a plantation, or large farm, in Kentucky. He had a wife and 4 children. He tried to buy freedom but failed.
Define "escape" & make a sentence with it
To get away - the act of getting away
What is the “Underground Railroad”?
A set of paths made of people who helped slaves run away.
Define "travel" & make a sentence with it
To go from one place to another place
Define "reward" & make a sentence with it
gift or money given for helping someone
Define "slave" & make a sentence with it
Someone who belongs to another person and who works without pay
Define "capture" & make a sentence with it
(verb) to take by force - (noun) the act of catching something
Define "right" & make a sentence with it
the power a person has because of a country's rules
What did people along the Underground Railroad do?
They assisted runaways. They gave them food and a place to stay. They carried runaways closer to freedom in boats or wagons.
Was slavery common in North America before 1793?
No
What happened when Eli Whitney invented the “cotton gin”?
This machine made cotton a popular crop. Many people used slaves to work on their farms.
Define "assist" & make a sentence with it
To help
What did Henson do when his family arrived in Indiana?
They had to move slowly and be careful not to be seen. To make sure no one saw them, Henson's family often traveled at night and slept during the day.
What is a biography?
The story of a person's life, written by another person
What do writers often use in a biography? Why?
Cause and effect text structure to show why events happened in a person's life
What did enslaved people and those who helped them risk by using the Underground Railroad?
They risked being captured and death along the way.
How long did it take Henson’s family to reach Canada?
More than a month after their daring escape.
What is the historical background of the Underground Railroad?
It helped between 40,000 and 100,000 slaves escape. Some people escaped and then returned to the southern states to help others find freedom.
What type of literature is "Escaping to freedom"?
Biography
What is the situation of African Americans before 1865?
Most of them were not free. They were slaves with no rights.
Why did the family travel to Canada?
In Canada, slavery was not allowed.
What happened that made Henson decide to escape from Riley's farm?
Riley planned to sell him and Henson would have to move to Louisiana, and he might never see his wife and children again! Henson could not accept this.
Define "freedom" & make a sentence with it
The state of being free
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