University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Benjamin Drew: Testimony of the Canadian Fugitives
From an academic website, these pages record the testimony of American slaves that fled north to Canada. In the United States these types of original documents are collected under the category of Slave Narratives and they represent an...
Emory University
Lewis H. Beck Center: Child, Lydia: The Stars and Stripes: A Melodrama
Read Lydia Maria Child's "The Stars and Stripes: A Melodrama." This play, originally published in the National Antislavery Standard (1853), served as propaganda for the abolitionist movement.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: Free Blacks in the Antebellum Period
Online exhibit from the Library of Congress features primary source material about free blacks from the Antebellum Period and teaches about individual accomplishments, emergence of the black church, and documenting freedom.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Abolitionists
Outline of the beginning of the Abolitionist Movement in a pre-Civil War America as part of the sectional conflict between the North and South.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: The Demise of Slavery
In this essay, J. William Harris, Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire, explains the developments that brought about the demise of slavery.
New York Public Library
Aame: Runaway Journeys: The Underground Railroad in the 19th Century
A great map showing the pathways of escape on the Underground Railroad throughout the United States. From the Schomburg Center for Research. You can also find a map of routes in the 18th century. Students can see the progression of...
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Amistad: Lewis Tappan
A short essay on the life of abolitionist Lewis Tappan and his involvement with the Amistad case.
PBS
Africans in America: Founding of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society
A detailed account of the founding of the first Quaker abolitionist society in 1775 in Philadelphia by Anthony Benezet. The society became known as "PAS" or "Pennsylvania Abolition Society".
PBS
Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Underground Railroad
This PBS site provides a general history of the Underground Railroad, including a focus on notable participants or "conductors." Click on Teacher's Guide for teacher resources.
PBS
Africans in America: American Colonization Society
Learn about the views of the American Colonization Society (ACS) and about their efforts to send free blacks to Liberia. This website briefly overviews how the ACS started and how their efforts lead to the emigration of thousands.
Other
Alton, Illinois: Elijah Parish Lovejoy
Biography on minister, journalist, and anti-slavery spokesperson Elijah Lovejoy, who was killed by a mob when he was 34. This well written bio focuses on the events on the night of his death.
Other
Sojourner Truth Library: On the Trail of Sojourner Truth in Ulster County, Ny
This exhibit follows events in the life of Sojourner Truth using primary documents and images of people, places and maps to bring her story to life.
Other
Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography: Maria Weston Chapman
Here is good biography about the life of Maria Chapman and her sisters. Read detailed information concerning their involvement in the abolitionist movement.
Other
Beneath the Underground: Flight to Freedom
A site that tells the story of the Underground Railroad in Maryland. Includes interactive maps.
Other
Unitarian Universalist Biographical Dictionary: Lydia Maria Child
Read about Lydia Child's involvement with the abolition movement and her work in the 19th century women's suffrage movement.
Other
Accessible Archives: National Anti Slavery Standard
The National Anti-Slavery Standard was a weekly newspaper published by the abolitionist group, the American Anti-Slavery Society. How it was established and its history are described.
Other
Frederick Douglass Comes to Life: A Short Biography of Frederick Douglass
In addition to providing a brief biography, this website includes pictures of Frederick Douglass as well as links to speeches and important quotes.
PBS
Pbs: Africans in America: David Walker (1796 1830)
At this site from PBS you can read about the life of David Walker. Born in the late 18th century as a free black, he was most known for his pamplet, entitled "Appeal," which advocated slave revolt.
Emory University
Lewis H. Beck Center: Lydia Maria Child: Anecdote of Elias Hicks
Here, read the full text of Lydia Child's "Anecdote of Elias Hicks," which tells the story of an abolitionist Quaker. It was originally published in 1839.
Emory University
Lewis H. Beck Center: Chapman, Maria Weston: Haiti
Read the full text of Maria Weston Chapman's "Haiti," which was originally published in 1842. A radical abolitionist, she opposed slavery wherever it occurred.
Emory University
Lewis H. Beck Center: Child, Lydia Maria: Charity Bowery
Download and read Lydia Maria Child's "Charity Bowery," originally written in 1839, which tells the story of a freed slave's choices as she is allowed to take only one of her children out of slavery.
Emory University
Lewis H. Beck Center: Child, Lydia: How a Kentucky Girl Emancipated Her Slaves
Download the full text to Lydia Maria Child's "How a Kentucky Girl Emancipated Her Slaves." This account of a woman who freed her slaves was originally written by Lydia Child in 1862 and published in The New York Tribune.
Other
The Abolitionist: History and Geography of the Underground Railroad
Read a comprehensive account of the Underground Railroad, how it was organized, and the routes that were used. Be sure to read all three parts.