EOTO #1 Mock Trial

During the EOTO I was a part of the anti-slavery movement. I was able to then study information on the Underground Railroad and back up that it was against slavery. The underground railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses during the nineteenth century in the United States. This railroad was used by enslaved African Americans to get them to different states. It officially became known as the underground railroad during the eighteenth century.

 The underground railroad really was a way for slaves to escape and get away. It was a place slaves would go to try and escape and go to all different places to try and be free.  Estimates state that 100,000 enslaved people have escaped through the underground railroad and there were about 5000 court cases This shows it is anti- slavery because it helped slaves get away and tried to end slavery. This railroad allowed slaves to get their freedom back that they deserve since they are also humans.  The underground railroad was such a great way to stop slavery and make humans be who they deserved to be. 

There were people known as “conductors”. Conductors were the ones who guided the fugitive slaves when it came to hiding in different places. Some places that they would hide in were private homes, churches and schools. The conductors didn't call these places by their real names so they could be called  “stations,” “safe houses,” and “depots.” Those who would stay at these places with the slaves were called stationmasters. Some of these routes went through Ohio to Indiana and Iowa.While others led to the north by Pennsylvania and New England. 

The Fugitive Slave law was created in the year of 1793, free states were assigned to assist slaveholders and help recaptured fugitives. This law made these slaves who were escaping  a lucrative business  which made there be fewer hiding places for them. The fugitive enslaved people became on their own for the most part until they went further north.  This law was formed to strengthen the previous law which was felt that southern states were to be inadequately enforced. This created more serious consequences that could be them getting captured again. No one listened to this law so that was when the Underground Railroad became such a success.   

These underground railroad routes traveled through Canada to the Caribbean and into the United States. This allowed slaves to escape wherever they wanted. With some slaves who traveled into Mexico to gain their freedom.  The Underground railroad began to escape on the border of Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland. 

 Some families who were against slavery would help hide slaves in different places such as barns or hidden underground closets which would lead to the underground railroad. They would get in a lot of trouble if they got caught, hence why all the slaves were very careful when trying to escape.  This helped end slavery in so many different ways. In 1863 slavery was finally ablosihed which put an end to slavery.

What I learned Mock Trail

I learned so much during the mock Trial we did in class. One fact that I learned was John Mann was fined ten dollars for shooting a female slave. He found this as being very unfair and continues to have many arguments about this. In my opinion I feel as if this was wrong and John should be fined. Shooting someone is just not needed at all and is very rude. Ten dollars is a lot of money back then and John Man does deserve to pay a fine for his actions. 

Back then Slavery was a very important part of the population and history itself. The prosecuting side here from North Carolina states that there is so much danger and harm being put on slaves which isn't abided by the laws. This is so wrong in my opinion to be treating other people like this who don't deserve it. Everyone should be treated the same way. The prosecutors wish that the court sides with the precedent no matter the ownership status. This taught me so much about how slaves were actually treated and all the harm they had to go through. Quaker Walker claims that slaves are people. He also ended up being on the side during the court case too. The Prosecuting side says that the slaves should be put to just as much work as the slave holder. I disagree with this all completely. No one should be treated this way and everyone is equal and no one has to work for anyone else. 

The other side then stated how slaves can be considered property, and those property owners are allowed to do whatever they want with their property. This is completely wrong and something I can disagree with. No one should be considered someone else's property and have to do anything for anyone unless they want to. This side clearly states that the property needs to be protected as well as the owners so they don't  become  prosecuted for their actions by doing the wrong thing with their property. It is stated in the old testament that punishment should be only the loss of work from the slave, not prosecution for actions taken against them. This is stating that the punishment for the slaves is to just not work instead of having them work or getting harmed. This side, the defendant, states that they want to keep the power of the owner above the slave. 

All in all, I learned so much that I didn't know. I did not know how badly slaves were actual;y treated and the punishments they would get. I also didn't know how they were considered property to other people. In my opinion I seek that as being very rude and unfair and no one should be treated unequally.