As I recently learned how to paraphrase and summarize, I am going to use my skills to write about an interesting passage named the Underground Railroad.
The Underground Railroad was a fascinating phenomena established in the late 16th century that emerged from the history of American slavery. It was a highly secretive and extremely well-organized network of people whom purpose was to help black slaves escape from bondage (means the state of being a slave or prisoner) to freedom. The Underground Railroad was made up of “stationmasters” and “conductors”. The first ones were people who provided food and refuge to escaped slaves, and the second ones were people who guided slaves along the difficult routes to safety. A wide variety of people worked on the Railroad, such as former slaves, farmers, preachers, and even Native Americans. The members of the Underground Railroad were all united by their hatred of the institution of slavery and their high sense of solidarity. The conditions faced by runaways were extremely difficult. They had to travel at night, and could carry only a little amount of food. Most of them had to travel on foot. Sometimes, they were forced to take residence in swamps or in mountainous areas during a long period of time. Strength and speed were critical in order to escape successfully. Furthermore, the risks faced by runaways were formidable. Recapture was unthinkable. Recaptured runaways would endure severe punishments such as harder labor, mutilation, amputation of limbs and so on. Due to the high rate of escaped slaves, the Fugitive Slave Law was passed in 1850. Professional slave-hunters were formed and paid handsomely to catch escaped slaves. They had the right to pursue them even into the free northern regions.
Finally, on December 18, 1865, the ratification of the 13th amendment to the U.S Constitution that stated “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude….shall exist in the United States” abolished the institution of slavery.
