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#7.1 Researching the Project

Daily Learning Target! (3 min)

Highlight the verbs that show what you will do to reach your DLT and how you will do it.

I can analyze and describe an important event from Detroit’s past by evaluating
credible evidence.

Do Now! (7 min) Watch the video and respond to the question(s) and be prepared to share
your response.

Note: In the clip below, Jamon Jordan details the hidden history of the Blackburn Riots
in Detroit. Jordan, a former social studies teacher, owns a tour company that focuses on
African American history in Detroit.

Source: https://www.c-span.org/video/?461215-1/escaped-slaves-detroit

I learned about the first race riot in Detroit and how it

What did you learn
about Detroit history
from this video? OR
What aspect of this story
stands out to you? Why?
led to the freedom of Thornton and Rutha Blackburn.
The faith and cleverness in the plan to free them was
really incredible to me, and it’s amazing that they were
able to fight against an oppressive society for people
many of them had never met, at great risk to
themselves. One thing that really added to the depth of
the story that it was filmed where it had happened
 years ago, so that you could almost picture it
happening. The way that the story was told was really
compelling and informative, and I wish that we were
told more of this history about Detroit.

What is a credible source?

Credible sources contain accurate and up-to-date information. They make claims supported
by evidence rather than opinion or speculation. Websites for libraries, archives, historical
organizations, reputable news outlets, and government agencies are typically considered
credible sources. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are not.

Tip: Many of your topics will have an entry here: https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-

detroit. Also, check out the Credible Sources doc in the 1701 Project folder on Teams.

Research Your Topic (50 min) Fill in the graphic organizer below as you research your topic.

The Detroit Underground Railroad

Topic

Copy and paste an

image related to
your topic
Who or what does These pictures show statues of escaping slaves about to cross the Detroit
this image show? River to freedom, a woman presenting at a tour of a historic station on the
Underground Railroad, and exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum that
shows a slave’s journey to freedom, and a plaque at the spot where Frederick
Douglass and John Brown met at William Webb’s house.

Source URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptWLnyZ01FQ

https://www.trekearth.com/gallery/North_America/United_States/Midwest/Mi
chigan/Detroit/photo1558810.htm
https://detroithistorical.org/detroit-historical-museum/exhibitions/signature-
exhibitions/doorway-freedom-%E2%80%93-detroit-and
 https://www.michiganradio.org/post/detroit-and-underground-railroad

Source One
Source URL https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/underground-railroad
Is this a credible Yes, it’s credible.
source? If you are
not sure, say why.

Briefly describe It discusses how the Underground Railroad in Detroit worked, and mentioned
this source. What some of the major conductors and locations. It explains why the underground
does it say about railroad was needed and why Detroit was such an important stop.
your topic?

Jot down a few  “Conductors of all backgrounds risked their livelihood for human freedom by hiding
good quotes and slaves in their houses, barns, attics, cellars, churches, shops and sheds.”
examples from your  Detroit, codenamed “Midnight,” was one of the last “stops” on the Railroad before
attaining freedom in Canada.
source—you will  “flags and lanterns became clandestine signals, verbal language carried code and
draw on this handbills and newspapers were often encrypted with Railroad symbols.”
evidence to make  “Born a free man in Virginia in 1814, he relocated to Detroit as an adult. A respected
your account. entrepreneur and business leader, he owned a barbershop and a bakery in Detroit before
purchasing the steamship T. Whitney, which he used to secretly transport slaves from
Detroit to Canada. DeBaptiste also formed a secret organization known as African-
American Mysteries or Order of the Men of Oppression, which worked with the
Underground Railroad in Detroit.”
 “The church became a vital station on the Underground Railroad, and
for over 30 years housed an estimated 5,000 freedom seekers.
Abolitionist leaders including Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth,
and John Brown worked with Second Baptist. Members of the
congregation founded two anti-slavery organizations, The
Amherstburg Baptist Association and the Canadian Anti-Slavery
Baptist Organization.”
 “it is estimated that 200 Underground Railroad stops existed throughout Michigan
between the 1820s and 1865.”
Optional: List a
question you have
after reading this
source.

Source Two
Source URL https://detroithistorical.org/detroit-historical-
museum/exhibitions/signature-exhibitions/doorway-freedom-
%E2%80%93-detroit-and
Is this a credible Yes, it’s credible.
source? If you are
not sure, say why.

Briefly describe This source discusses why Detroit was such an instrumental part of the
this source. What Underground Railroad, and it mentions some of the code used on it.
does it say about
your topic?

Jot down a few  Detroit was a pivotal part of the Underground Railroad, an informal network of safe
good quotes and houses and people willing to help runaway enslaved people.
examples from your  “Hiding places — often taverns, homes and barns — were referred to as “stations.”
Helpers were called “conductors,” and runaways were either “passengers” or “baggage.””
source—you will  “Detroit’s unique geographical location, coupled with its radicalized black community
draw on this and abolitionist sympathizers made the city a prime crossing location for freedom
evidence to make seekers. Code named “Midnight” by Underground Railroad “conductors,” the city
your account. provided access to Canada across the Detroit River.”
 “It was Detroit’s rebellious and pragmatic spirit that made the city a pivotal player in
national discussions regarding fugitive slaves. From private citizens to city officials,
Detroiters — black and white — worked together under high risks and often in violation
of Federal law to coordinate the escape of hundreds of freedom seekers.”
Optional: List a
question you have
after reading this
source.

Source Three
Source URL https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/travel/detroit-michigan-windsor-
canada-river-underground-railroad-slavery.html
Is this a credible Yes, it’s credible
source? If you are
not sure, say why.

Briefly describe It’s a memoir of someone’s journey around major landmarks on the
this source. What Underground Railroad both in Detroit and Onterio, with information and
does it say about background about the places’ history.
your topic?

Jot down a few  “The Detroit River separates the United States from Canada, where
good quotes and slavery was abolished through the British Imperial Act of 1833.”
examples from your  “Though slavery was also illegal in Michigan when it was admitted to
source—you will the Union in 1837, bounty hunters crossing state lines still posed a
draw on this threat to black residents of Detroit”
evidence to make  “The Detroit neighborhood of Greektown, with its Romanesque
your account. architecture, is home to the Second Baptist Church, which dates to
1836 and is one of the oldest black churches in the Midwest.”
 “The first members of the church broke off from the city’s First
Baptist Church because of discriminatory practices, and the split gave
them an opportunity to aid runaway slaves more discretely.”
 “Though to a lesser extent than in American cities, bounty hunters
would occasionally come across the Canadian border to kidnap former
slaves and sell them back into bondage, so threats did remain.”
 “As the Ambassador Bridge loomed ahead, I thought about the
enduring link between Detroit and Ontario. For escapees on the way to
 their promised land, this strait between two countries was more than a
mark of sovereignty, but an affirmation of humanity, somewhere in the
distance.”
Optional: List a
question you have
after reading this
source.

Source Four
Source URL https://www.michiganradio.org/post/detroit-and-underground-railroad
Is this a credible Yes, it’s credible.
source? If you are
not sure, say why.

Briefly describe It discusses the Underground Railroad in Detroit, and explores many of the
this source. What leading abolitionists on it and some of the major destinations.
does it say about
your topic?

Jot down a few  “At Second Baptist Church, the state’s oldest African-
good quotes and American church, there is a section of their tour where they
examples from your actually show you where African-American slaves would hide
source—you will
until they were able to make the journey across the river to
draw on this
evidence to make Canada,” Coleman explained.
your account.  “Leading abolitionists came to Detroit to debate their different
approaches, including a famous meeting of Fredrick Douglass
and John Brown.”
 “Brown and Fredrick Douglass did not agree on the use of
violence. Just a short time later Brown raided a federal armory
to distribute weapons. He was captured and later executed.”
 ““A station was any place of hiding. This church was a station.
The station master is anyone who has authority to let you hide.
That’s the pastor of the church. A conductor is a person who is
going to lead the train. On the Underground Railroad, you are
the train,” she explained.”
 “One of the prominent African-Americans in Detroit at the
time was George DeBaptiste. He bought a steamship which
ferried people across the Detroit River. It also smuggled many
escaped slaves to Canada.”
 ““It was where black people were; it’s where more progressive
thought was and I think the proximity to freedom being the
width of the river, probably had a lot to do with that,” he said.”
 “It’s estimated that the Second Baptist Church of Detroit alone
helped as many as five thousand people cross the river to
freedom.”
Optional: List a
question you have
after reading this
source.

Source Five
Source URL https://visitdetroit.com/detroits-underground-railroad-history-historical-
sites/
Is this a credible Yes, it’s credible.
source? If you are
not sure, say why.

Briefly describe It talks about how the underground railroad worked and lists several stations
this source. What on it.
does it say about
your topic?

Jot down a few  “If that doesn’t sound like the Detroit you know, what if I told
good quotes and you that over 50,000 people – enough to fill Ford Field –
examples from your escaped slavery and fled to Detroit on the Underground
source—you will
Railroad?”
draw on this
evidence to make  “These freedom seekers or pilots would disguise themselves,
your account. hid as cargo, travel through tunnels, and even trek along river
banks to avoid the scent of hound dogs.”
 “Maps were rarely available, so escapees used maps sewn into
quilts, directions disguised as songs, star constellations, or
even the moss on trees to determine a northern bearing.”
 “Michigan is important in that legacy, and Detroit is the
embodiment of freedom’s unbroken spirit. Which gives new
eyes on the meaning of our Spirit of Detroit, doesn’t it?”
 “Gateway to Freedom Marker: Located in Hart Plaza, this
statue is undoubtably an international symbol of freedom,
overlooking the Detroit River. You see children behind the
monument, beckoning others to join as a conductor guides this
group to safety.”
 “Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church: Started in
1839 as the Colored Methodist Society, it was instrumental in
the Underground Railroad at both of its early locations, but the
impressive congregation currently stands on 5050 St. Antoine
St.”
 Finney Hotel: The Finney Hotel once stood on the southeast
corner of Woodward and Griswold street of downtown Detroit.
Seymour Finney was a tailor, who later became a hotelkeeper
was deeply supportive of the abolitionist cause. He served the
cause as a conductor long before talks of reconstruction. His
 historic marker is located on the northeast corner of State and
Griswold.”
 “Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill: The building that houses this
sports bar is rumored to have once been a part of the
Underground Railroad (and Prohibition for that matter). There
is a tunnel below the bar that is believed to be an escape route
during both periods in history.”
Optional: List a
question you have
after reading this
source.