INTRODUCTION

Although Canada never truly played a role in the triangular slave trade, it was not until the 1790's that the courts made slavery illegal. In 1833 the British government declared that "every man is free who reaches British ground"; consequently, Canada continued to be the promised land for fugitive slaves.

Blacks escaping the brutality of bondage did so primarily along the Underground Railroad. Led only by the North Star, and people such as Harriet Tuibman, they made their way to safer havens in Canada.

While the new country presented an opportunity for them to rebuild their lives, the former slaves could not always escape the evils of racism. The new Canadians sometimes came under physical attack by those unsympathetic to the anti-slavery movement and by bounty-hunters hired by American slave holders.

Nevertheless, Blacks established in Canada not only survived, but some even thrived. They contributed actively to the advancement of Canada through the publication of newspapers and other creative and entrepreneurial endeavours.

Documents included in this unit lead the reader from Southern plantations along the trails of the Underground Railroad to various parts of Canada. Biographical accounts show some of the contributions made by Canadians such as Mary Shadd and Elijah McCoy.