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Harriet Tubman Essay

Essay Topic Examples

1. Harriet Tubman: The Journey from Slavery to Freedom:

     This essay would explore the remarkable life of Harriet Tubman, focusing on her transformation from a slave to a conductor on the Underground Railroad. It would detail her brave escapes, the missions she led to rescue others, and the lasting impact of her work on the abolition movement and the Civil War.

2. The Tactical Genius of Harriet Tubman in the Underground Railroad:

     Discuss the intricate escape strategies and methods of communication Harriet Tubman utilized in her role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. This essay would analyze her leadership qualities, use of geographic knowledge, and the risks she took to navigate enslaved people to safety.

3. Harriet Tubmans Advocacy for Womens Suffrage:

     An exploration of Harriet Tubman's contributions to the women's suffrage movement, detailing how she fought not only for the liberation of African Americans but also for gender equality. This essay would highlight her activism post-Civil War and her collaboration with other suffragettes.

4. The Spiritual and Religious Influences on Harriet Tubman's Life:

     This essay would delve into the spiritual beliefs and religious convictions that inspired Harriet Tubman's heroism and sustained her through her perilous missions. It would examine how her faith influenced her decisions and motivated her fight against slavery.

5. Harriet Tubman in Popular Culture: Representation and Legacy:

     An analysis of how Harriet Tubman has been depicted in literature, film, and other forms of popular culture, and the impact these representations have on our understanding of her legacy. This essay would debate the accuracy of these portrayals and their role in shaping the collective memory of her life and achievements.

Essay Title Examples

1.Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom Fighter

2.The Legacy of Harriet Tubman: From Slavery to Liberation

3.Conducting the Underground Railroad: Harriet Tubman's Heroic Journeys

4.Moses of Her People: The Life and Impact of Harriet Tubman

5.The Unyielding Spirit of Harriet Tubman: An Icon of Resistance and Emancipation

Essay Hook Examples

1. Imagine a world where one woman could alter the course of many lives, a world where Harriet Tubman, with unwavering courage, charted the path to freedom for countless slaves.

2. Deep in the night, a single figure emerges, guiding the enslaved to freedom through the shadowed paths of the Underground Railroad; this is the legacy of Harriet Tubman.

3. "I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty, or death," declared Harriet Tubman, embarking on a perilous journey that would re-define the meaning of bravery.

4. Facing danger at every turn, Harriet Tubman, the "Moses of her people," transformed into an icon of strength and freedom far beyond her own lifetime.

5. Through swamps, woodlands, and the cloak of nightfall, Harriet Tubman's spirit blazed, becoming the guiding star to freedom for slaves daring to escape their chains.

Thesis Statement Examples

1.Harriet Tubman's leadership and bravery transformed her from an enslaved woman to a key conductor of the Underground Railroad, symbolizing the struggle for freedom and the efficacy of individual courage in confronting systemic oppression.

2.Through her strategic planning and unwavering resolve, Harriet Tubman's legacy as the "Moses of her people" exemplifies the substantial impact one individual can have on the fight against slavery and the broader quest for social justice.

3.Harriet Tubman's lifelong commitment to equality and women's suffrage, in addition to her efforts to free African American slaves, reveals the intersectional nature of her activism that stretched beyond emancipation to encompass a holistic vision for civil rights.

4.By analyzing Harriet Tubman's military contributions during the Civil War, particularly her role as a spy and leader of an armed expedition, this essay underscores the importance of her often-underrepresented participation in achieving both historical and tactical victories for the Union army.

5.The narrative of Harriet Tubman's life, including her formative experiences as an enslaved person, her daring escapes, and subsequent missions to liberate others, speaks to the power of personal testimony in shaping public memory and our understanding of American history.

Essay Outline Examples

I. Introduction

  1. Early Life of Harriet Tubman
    1. Born into slavery in Maryland
    2. First act of defiance and consequences

  2. The Birth of "Moses"
    1. Escape from slavery
    2. The Underground Railroad and her role/li>

II. Body

  1. Contribution to Abolition and Civil War
    1. Work with abolitionist movements
    2. Role in the Civil War as a spy and nurse

  2. Life After the War
    1. Fight for women's suffrage
    2. Establishment of the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged

  3. Legacy and Historical Impact
    1. Influence on modern civil rights movements
    2. Reverence in arts and culture

III. Conclusion

  1. Summarizing Harriet Tubman's Achievements
    1. Impact of her courage and leadership
    2. Persistent relevance of her actions

  2. Reflecting on Tubman's Lasting Legacy
    1. The continued inspiration drawn from her life story
    2. Her place in American history

Essay Introduction Examples

Introduction Paragraph 1

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland around 1820, and endured a life of great hardship and suffering. Despite facing unimaginable adversity, Tubman showed incredible courage and resilience as she escaped to freedom in the North. Her remarkable journey to freedom was just the beginning of her inspiring story, as she went on to become one of the most renowned abolitionists and activists of the 19th century.

As an escaped slave herself, Harriet Tubman understood firsthand the horrors of the institution of slavery, and dedicated her life to helping others find their way to freedom. Known as the "Moses of her people," Tubman became a legend for her daring missions to rescue enslaved individuals through the Underground Railroad. She risked her own life countless times to lead others to safety, making over a dozen trips back to the South and freeing hundreds of slaves in the process.

Harriet Tubman's impact extended far beyond...

…that would forever change the course of her life.

After successfully making her way to the North, Harriet Tubman could have chosen to live a quiet and peaceful life of freedom. However, she could not turn a blind eye to the suffering of those she had left behind in bondage. Tubman made the bold decision to risk her own safety and freedom to help others escape, becoming a fearless "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. Her unwavering commitment to the cause of abolition and her selfless actions in the face of danger solidified her place in history as a true American hero.

Essay Body Examples

Paragraph 1

In the tumultuous times preceding and during the American Civil War, few names stand out in the struggle for liberation quite like Harriet Tubman'sa name synonymous with courage, tenacity, and the quest for freedom. Born into slavery in Maryland around 1820 as Araminta Ross, Tubman transcended her own shackles, not only by escaping to the North in 1849 but also by returning countless times to the South as an Underground Railroad conductor, risking her life to lead enslaved people to freedom. Tubman's legacy extends far beyond her role in abolition; she was a spy for the Union Army, a nurse, a suffragist, and an emblematic figure of strength and moral fortitude. As we delve into her extraordinary life, from her early years in bondage to her later years as a political activist, we unpack the story of a woman whose actions continue to inspire the fight for justice and equality to this day.

Paragraph 2

Engraved in the annals of American history is the heroic narrative of Harriet Tubman, a woman who not only carved a pathway for herself to freedom but also illuminated the road for many others. Born into the severe confines of slavery and known originally as Araminta "Minty" Ross, she rose from her early life in Dorchester County, Maryland, to become an iconic figure of resilience and emancipation. Harriet Tubman's remarkable journeyakin to a beacon of hope and defiancesaw her transform from a valuable 'property' to a fearless liberator and leader. This essay explores Tubman's progression from a slave with little control over her own destiny to an Underground Railroad mastermind, an ardent advocate for women's suffrage, and a humanitarian, whose indelible impact on American society continues to resonate through the echoes of justice and freedom.

Essay Conclusion Examples

Conclusion 1

In conclusion, Harriet Tubman's extraordinary courage, strategic prowess, and unwavering commitment to justice transformed the lives of countless enslaved individuals and reshaped the trajectory of American history. Her role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a spy for the Union Army, and an advocate for women's suffrage echo the far-reaching impact of her tenacity and vision. Tubman's legacy invites us to continue her work in striving for equality and freedom, serving as an enduring reminder of the power one individual holds to spark change. As we reflect on her life, we must carry forward the torch of liberty and equality that Harriet Tubman so valiantly upheld, dedicating ourselves to the unfinished work of ensuring human rights for all.

Conclusion 2

In summing up Harriet Tubman's indelible mark on history, it is evident that her indomitable spirit and relentless drive not only paved the way to freedom for many but also laid the foundations for modern civil rights movements. Through her daring exploits, strategic intelligence, and passionate activism, Tubman has become not only a symbol of freedom but also an archetype of heroism and moral frtitude. Her story continues to inspire and challenge us to advocate for justice and equality in our times. Let Harriet Tubman's journey be the beacon that guides us to effectuate meaningful change in our society, reminding us that the quest for freedom and equality is perennial and paramount.

In-Text Citation Examples

In-text citation examples:

1. Harriet Tubman, often referred to as the "Moses of her people," led countless slaves to freedom employing innovative strategies and showing remarkable courage (Bradford 30).

2. In her own account, Tubman describes a particularly harrowing escape where she had to navigate through hostile territory under the cover of night, evading slave catchers and their dogs (Tubman 64).

Sources Used:

1. Bradford, Sarah H. Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People. Geo. R. Lockwood & Son, 1886.

2. Tubman, Harriet. Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman. W.J. Moses, Printer, 1869.

Primary Sources


Still, William. The Underground Rail Road. Porter & Coates, 1872.

Tubman, Harriet. Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman. W.J. Moses, Printer, 1869.

Bradford, Sarah H. Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People. Geo. R. Lockwood & Son, 1886.

Harriet Tubman Papers. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library, Manuscripts and Archives Division.

Conductor on the Underground Railroad: Testimonies of H. Tubman & Others; executive documents printed by the order of the Senate of the United States. Second session of the thirty-eighth Congress; 1864-'65.

Sources used in this document:
Primary Sources


Still, William. The Underground Rail Road. Porter & Coates, 1872.

Tubman, Harriet. Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman. W.J. Moses, Printer, 1869.

Bradford, Sarah H. Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People. Geo. R. Lockwood & Son, 1886.

Harriet Tubman Papers. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library, Manuscripts and Archives Division.

Conductor on the Underground Railroad: Testimonies of H. Tubman & Others; executive documents printed by the order of the Senate of the United States. Second session of the thirty-eighth Congress; 1864-'65.

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