The escape routes of the Underground Railroad began and ran through the South itself. Based on that, what can we conclude about how some Southerners felt about slavery?

Answer 1

The existence of escape routes for the Underground Railroad within the South suggests that there were individuals and communities who opposed slavery and were willing to take risks to help enslaved people attain freedom. This indicates that not all Southerners supported the institution of slavery; some were sympathetic to the plight of enslaved individuals and actively sought to assist them.

Furthermore, the presence of these escape routes implies a level of covert resistance against the prevailing pro-slavery attitudes of the time. It also points to the complexities of Southern society, where there were alliances and divisions, and where abolitionist sentiments existed alongside the dominant pro-slavery ideology.

In summary, the existence of Underground Railroad routes through the South indicates that there were Southerners who felt strongly against slavery and were committed to aiding enslaved individuals in their pursuit of freedom, reflecting a moral opposition to the institution itself.