Finally, they were free. After months of traveling and hiding, not knowing if they would be caught, they finally reached the North. Their journey would have ended there if not for the Fugitive Slave Act. This law stated that Northerners were required by law to return runaway slaves. This forced escaped slaves to face more difficult terrain to reach their ultimate goal, Canada. Not only did slaves want to be free, but many Americans also thought slavery was bad and wanted it abolished. Slavery was an issue throughout the 1800s in America, and it was highly debated and ultimately resolved by a terrible and bloody civil war. Due to the desire of some Americans to abolish slavery, the Underground Railroad was created, leading to a strict fugitive slave law. Throughout the 1800s in America, abolitionists worked day and night to end slavery. Abolitionists studied and invoked the Constitution to find new ways to fight slavery. One of the most famous abolitionists was Frederick Douglass. He was an African-American social reformer and orator who fought against slavery. He escaped from slavery and later became educated. He gave speeches, wrote books, and protested slavery for most of his life. Many white people also protested slavery, including John Fairfield. He was the son of a slave-owning family and he carried out daring rescues to help escaped slaves. Even though it bankrupted his family, he acted on what he believed, even if other people did not support his beliefs. Throughout this period, abolitionists worked tirelessly to help the enslaved, and in doing so, they helped create a system for bringing enslaved people to the North. The Underground Railroad made it possible...... middle of paper ...... broke. Many fought for their beliefs and many lives were lost. When the North gained the upper hand, the struggle ended and led to a better country. Amendments were made to the Constitution, outlawing slavery and freeing thousands of enslaved Americans forever. The Underground Railroad was a vital beacon of hope for slaves, and without it all would have been lost. Works cited by Foner, Eric and John A. Garraty. “Underground railway.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 1+9991. Internet. October 30, 2013Deverell, William and Deborah G. White. History of the United States. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and…Winston, 2007. Print. Pages 418-20Landau, Elaine. Fleeing to freedom on the Underground Railroad: the courageous slaves,….agents and conductors. Minneapolis: 21st Century, 2006. “The Underground Railroad” print. PBS. PBS and Web. October 30. 2013.