Why were Harriet Tubman's actions as a conductor on the Underground Railroad considered civil disobedience?
Harriet Tubman's actions as a conductor on the Underground Railroad were considered civil disobedience for several reasons:
1. Violation of the Fugitive Slave Act: The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a federal law that required runaway slaves to be returned to their owners, even if they had reached free states. By helping enslaved individuals escape to freedom, Tubman disregarded this law and actively worked against it.
2. Challenging the institution of slavery: Tubman's efforts to liberate enslaved individuals directly challenged the institution of slavery itself. Slavery was legal and protected by law in many parts of the United States, so her actions of aiding escapees were seen as defying the established order.
3. Direct disobedience to slaveholders: Tubman's actions directly undermined the authority of slaveholders, who considered enslaved individuals their property. By helping slaves escape, she defied the authority and control that slaveholders had over these individuals.
4. Emphasizing individual conscience over unjust laws: Civil disobedience typically involves actively breaking laws that are perceived as unjust and immoral. Tubman recognized the inherent injustice of slavery and chose to prioritize the freedom and well-being of enslaved individuals over following laws that supported and perpetuated their oppression.
Overall, Tubman engaged in civil disobedience by openly defying the laws and norms of her time in order to help enslaved individuals escape to freedom and challenge the institution of slavery.