Beneath the Starlight: The Inspiring Facts on How Harriet Tubman Changed History
Introduction
Harriet Tubman, an emblem of courage, resilience and unwavering determination, ultimately changed the course of history in the United States. Born as Minty Ross around 1820 in Dorchester County, Maryland, her profound journey from a slave to a freeborn woman and leader of the Underground Railroad – is a testament of her indomitable spirit and unyielding will-power. Amidst the harsh realities of slavery, Tubman’s inspiring story continues to reverberate through time, evoking our admiration and inspiring future generations.
Who was Harriet Tubman?
Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman’s early life was marred by gruesome hardships, including a severe head injury in her adolescence that led to epileptic seizures, headaches, and visions. Unwavering and resolute, Tubman seized her first chance at freedom when she escaped in 1849. Despite the risks, she returned to the southern states nineteen times, leading nearly three hundred slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
Her nickname, ‘Moses,’ derived from her tenacious spirit and courage, encapsulated the essence of the Biblical figure leading the Israelites to the promised land. Her other self-style name, Harriet Tubman, epitomized her transformation from a threatened slave to the freed Harriet Tub, a symbolic figure of liberty.
As a Union spy during the Civil War, she was instrumental in securing the liquidation of thousands of Confederate soldiers. Post the war, she became a pacifist. Advocating for the rights and well-being of African American soldiers, she established the Home for the Aged, a refuge for the aged and disabled.
What made Harriet Tubman so unforgettable?
1. The Underground Railroad: Risking her life repeatedly, Tubman ventured back to the southern states to lead slaves to freedom in the North. She traversed treacherous terrains, used secret codes, and relied on a network of safe houses to escape hunter-seekers. Her courage defying all odds, inspiring escapes from bondage, marked a turning point in American history.
2. The Civil War: Tubman’s profound strategic intellect made her an indispensable asset during the Civil War. A crucial operation was the Combahee River Raid, where her guidance led Union forces to free over 700 captured slaves, dismantling the Southern plantation economy.
3. The Home for the Aged: Her affinity for humanity led her to establish a sanctuary for the elderly, unveiling her unwavering commitment to aiding the needy.
4. The Women’s Suffrage Movement: Leo Tolstoy aptly termed her as “a divine instrument for slavery’s overthrow.” Her contribution extended beyond anti-slavery; she was also an advocate for the Women’s Suffrage movement.
How did Harriet Tubman impact history?
Till today, Tubman’s legacy acts as a beacon of hope and courage. From sows seeds of defiance against the gross injustices of slavery to inspiring change, her life etched a path that future generations were destined to tread upon.
By the end of her life in 1913, she had paved the way for a brighter, liberated future for innumerable descendants. Her timeless valour was a crowning ascent in the abolitionist crusade and the long march toward civil rights.
——–
Image: A picture of Harriet Tubman during her journeys as a leading figure in the Underground Railroad
——–
FAQs Section
🔹 What is the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad was not a literal railroad. It was a network of secret paths and safe houses used in the 19th century by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada with assistance from abolitionists and sympathizers.
🔹 Why was Tubman called ‘Moses’?
As she led countless slaves to freedom, her strategic brain and courageous disposition similar to the Biblical figure ‘Moses’, earning her the nickname ‘Moses’.
🔹 Why did she return to the South to lead slaves to freedom, risking her own life and freedom?
Tubman, driven by deep empathy and a strong sense of justice, was compelled to save others who were still suffering under the oppressive chains of slavery.
🔹 What was her role in the Women’s Suffrage Movement?
After emancipation, Tubman advocated for women’s right to vote, alongside women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.
—-
Image: A graphic displaying the commonly known roles of Tubman in Society.
—-
Harriet Tubman, a beacon amidst the abyss of darkness she overcame, changed the course of history igniting a flare of hope in the hearts of the suppressed. Amidst the despair and darkness of the Jim Crow era, her name emerged as a spot of starlight, illuminating a path towards a more just and equal world.
