Harriet Tubman: Life and Legacy Quiz

Harriet Tubman: Early Life and Escape from Slavery

Harriet Tubman, born Araminta "Minty" Ross around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, entered the world as a slave. Her parents, Harriet ("Rit") Green and Ben Ross, were also enslaved. Tubman's early life was marked by hardship and labor. As a child, she was put to work in various roles, such as caring for children, checking muskrat traps, and working in fields and forests. Despite these challenges, Tubman's strength of character was evident early on.

At the age of twelve, she suffered a traumatic head injury while defending a fugitive slave, which left her with severe headaches, seizures, and a chronic sleep disorder called narcolepsy. She also experienced vivid religious dreams and hallucinations throughout her life, which she interpreted as messages from God.

Harriet Tubman: Later Life and Impact

After escaping slavery in 1849 and settling in Philadelphia, Tubman dedicated her life to the abolition of slavery. She became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, leading approximately 70 enslaved African Americans to freedom in the North. Tubman's courage and determination earned her the nickname "Moses."

Despite her renown and her heroism, Tubman's financial situation remained precarious throughout her later life. She was paid $200 for her service, less than half of what her white male counterparts received monthly. However, in the years following the Civil War, she was granted a pension for her role in the Union Army, where she served as a nurse and confidante of generals.

In 1896, Tubman founded the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged and Indigent Colored People in Auburn, New York, where she spent her remaining years until her death in 1913.

Harriet Tubman: Abolitionist Activities

Harriet Tubman's abolitionist activities extended beyond her work on the Underground Railroad. She became a trusted friend and advisor to many abolitionists in the North, and her bravery and insight earned her a role in the Union Army as a scout, spy, nurse, and confidante of generals.

Tubman's work as a spy and scout during the Civil War was groundbreaking. In 1863, she led a group of spies and recruited enslaved people interested in assisting the Union cause. Her efforts helped to gather intelligence and disrupt Confederate operations.

Harriet Tubman: Civil War Involvement

Harriet Tubman's involvement in the Civil War extended beyond her work as a spy and scout. She also became the first woman in US history to lead a military expedition when she led Black troops in the I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty, or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other; for no man should take me alive; I should fight for my liberty as long as my strength lasted, and when the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me.Harriet Tubman to Sarah BradfordHarriet, The Moses of Her People (1886) Tubman's bravery and leadership were recognized during the Civil War, making her a symbol of resistance and emancipation for many.

Harriet Tubman: Underground Railroad

Harriet Tubman's role in the Underground Railroad was central to her abolitionist activities. She made secret return trips to Maryland to help her friends and family escape slavery, leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom. Her actions were dangerous, as she risked her own life to help others gain their freedom. Tubman's work on the Underground Railroad has been the subject of numerous myths and legends, inspiring artists and writers to retrace her courage and skill.

In conclusion, Harriet Tubman's life was marked by bravery, resilience, and a commitment to justice. Her work as an abolitionist, including her leadership on the Underground Railroad and her service in the Civil War, made her a powerful symbol of resistance and emancipation. Tubman's legacy continues to inspire and inform discussions about freedom, equality, and human rights.