Essay On Harriet Tubman

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Harriet Tubman Lilee Bieker 1st Period Harriet Tubman was an African-American, abolitionist, and former slave. Harriet took a major part in the abolitionist movement during the eightieth and nineteenth century. She escaped slavery to become a brave leader to any runaway slaves she could help. She led hundreds of slaves to the north for freedom by guiding them through routes and hideouts, known as "underground railroads". She was known as the "conductor" for leading slaves to the north. She also participated in the Women's Suffarge Movement. Tubman was also a spy, scout and nurse for the civil war. Harriet Tubman was born in Maryland, and her parents, Harriet Green and Ben Ross, were enslaved in Dorchester County. Harriet's original name was Araminta Harriet Ross. She had eight other siblings. Like many slaves, Harriet's exact year and date of birth wasn't recorded. Historians believed it was around 1822. They were owned by Pattison Brodess and then later on by Edward, Pattison's son. Her early life had many troubles. Edward Brodess sold three of her sisters to other plantations, which made problems for their family because they were separated from the family forever. Later on another deal arose with a Georgia man. The "Georgia Man" wanted to buy the youngest son, Moses, but Harriet's mother hid him for a long time. Finally Brodess backed away from the deal because the slaves were threatening to kill him. Historians agree that these stories from her past allowed her to believe the possibilities of resistance. She and her family also experienced daily violence, which caused severe permanent injuries. Harriet remembers one particular day when she was lashed five times before breakfast. She then found out ways to resist... ... middle of paper ... ...mediatly. In that time the doctor didn't give her anesthesia to numb the pain for the procedure and so she chose to bite down on a bullet. She had chosen to do that because she had seen the Civil War soldiers use that method when they had their limbs amputated. By 1911, she was so frail and could barely move. Named in her honor was sent to a rest home. Supporters gave donations when a news reporter described her as "ill and penniless". Surrounded by the friends she cherished and her family she adored, Harriet Tubman died of pneumonia in 1913, age of 91. Before she passed away, she told those who were around her "I go to prepare a place for you." Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1535.html http://www.biography.com/people/harriet-tubman-9511430 http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/harriet-tubman

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