The Underground Railroad was a network of safe houses and secret routes used during the 19th century to help slaves in the United States escape into free states and Canada. They were aided by abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. Some other routes led to Mexico or overseas. By 1850, it is estimated that 100,000 slaves had escaped using the "Railroad."
At its best, nearly 1,000 slaves per year escaped from slave states through the Underground Railroad. The escape of slaves psychologically influenced the slaveholders immensely. Under the original Fugitive Slave Law of 1793, officials from slave states were responsible for returning runaway slaves to their owners, but citizens and governments of many free states ignored this law, helping the Underground Railroad thrive.
At its best, nearly 1,000 slaves per year escaped from slave states through the Underground Railroad. The escape of slaves psychologically influenced the slaveholders immensely. Under the original Fugitive Slave Law of 1793, officials from slave states were responsible for returning runaway slaves to their owners, but citizens and governments of many free states ignored this law, helping the Underground Railroad thrive.