They were finally free. After months of traveling and hiding, without knowing if they would be captured, they finally managed to arrive in the North. Their journey would have ended there if not for the Fugitive Slave Law. This act stated that the people of the North were obligated by law to return fugitive slaves. This made it necessary for fugitive slaves to brave more difficult terrain to reach their ultimate goal, Canada. Not only did slaves want to be free, but many Americans also thought slavery was wrong and wanted it abolished. Slavery was a problem throughout the 1800s in America, it was much debated and eventually resolved by a terrible and bloody civil war. Due to the desire of some Americans to abolish slavery, the Underground Railroad was established, which led to a strict Fugitive Slave Act. Throughout the 1800s in America, abolitionists worked day and night to end slavery. Abolitionists studied and invoked the Constitution to find new ways to argue against slavery. One of the most famous abolitionists was Frederick Douglass. He was an African-American social reformer and orator who fought against slavery. He escaped slavery and later educated himself. He gave speeches, wrote books, and protested against slavery for much of his life. Many whites also protested slavery, including John Fairfield. He was the son of a slave-owning family and performed daring rescues to help runaway slaves. Even though he bankrupted his family, he acted on what he believed, even if other people didn't support his beliefs. During this time period, abolitionists worked tirelessly to help slaves, and in the process helped create a system for bringing slaves to the North. The Underground Railroad made it possible f... middle of paper... broke out. Many fought for what they believed in and many lives were lost. When the North prevailed, the fighting ended and the country was better. Changes were made to the Constitution, outlawing slavery and freeing thousands of enslaved Americans forever. The Underground Railroad was a vital beacon of hope for slaves, and without it all would have been lost. Works Cited Foner, Eric and John A. Garraty. "Underground Railway." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 1+9991. Network. October 30, 2013Deverell, William and Deborah G. White. History of the United States. Orlando, Florida: Holt, Rinehart and.…Winston, 2007. Print. Pages 418-20Landau, Elaine. Escaping to freedom on the Underground Railroad: the brave slaves, ... agents and conductors. Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century, 2006. Print. "The Underground Railroad". PBS. PBS and Web. October 30. 2013.