Introduction
While many people in the United States know about Harriett Tubman, it is not always so. Her biography, although shaped by historians that were often analyzing second-hand sources, bears critical knowledge of the success of the modern-day human rights movements in the country (Walters 186). Harriet Tubman can be rightfully called one of the first critical figures in the equal rights movement in the United States. It is crucial to evaluate each event in this person’s life to establish its significance for modern-day activists. Such an examination would reveal how rough life experiences can shape one’s personality into a force of positive change. This paper will review the events that occurred during Harriet Tubman’s lifetime that shaped her personality, intentions, and drive, as well as the movements that were affected by her.
Early Life
As with many Black people during the early 18th century, the life of Harriet Tubman began in slavery. The history of the Tubman family on the United States’ soil began with Harriet’s grandmother, who was brought to a farm in Maryland (Dunbar 18). A girl named Araminta was born in these conditions to her mother, Harriet Ross (Dunbar 23). Her rough start was marked by a severe head trauma that made her suffer from various neurological conditions, including hallucinations that were interpreted by her as a sign of God throughout her entire life (Levy). Perhaps, one of the few positive moments at that time was the release of Harriet’s father, Benjamin Ross (Clayton 18). The thoughts of freedom never did leave her throughout her entire childhood and early adulthood.
Eventually, Tubman was able to compose a solid plan for escaping her bonds and not alone too. Her visions from head trauma continued to convince her of the rightfulness of such a decision (Clayton 22). By that time, Harriet was married to a freed Black man named John Tubman, yet she herself remained enslaved (Clayton 22). Not much information is known about the exact way of her escape, but she did manage to run away and take her brothers alongside her. Despite her success in escaping, there was no end to her troubles. Alas, her brothers Henry and Ben were terrified of the potential consequences of their disappearance, eventually deciding to return back to their owner out of fear of punishment (“Facts: Harriet Tubman”). Obviously, she refused to let her journey end there.
Underground Railroad
After escaping from her owners, Tubman began plotting how to help and convince others to follow her. Allegedly, with the help of a group of white anti-slavery activists, Tubman began to plan journeys throughout the state, eventually expanding to other locations that had anti-slavery networks and needed assistance (Dunbar 80). It has been said that she helped approximately 70-300 slaves to escape their masters across the coast of Maryland (Levy).
She was described as a constant achiever, having eventually saved her family and many friends from slave masters (Dunbar 80). Not once she or the escapees she helped were captured (“Facts: Harriet Tubman”). Her zealous attitude towards resistance can be attributed to her faith in God. Historians say that Harriet was ready for any measures to give freedom to her Black brothers and sisters, even violent ones (Walters 191). Yet, the true challenge remained, and Tubman continued to remain active until their direct involvement in the Civil War.
Civil War
Even after the rising success of slave escape operations that came with the growing danger from the South, Tubman’s life did not turn her back from the cause. On the contrary, she found herself involved in the Civil War. During the war times, Tubman was drafted as a nurse and saw the horrible suffering of men of color (Dunbar 89). However, nursing alone was not her calling, as she enlisted to help the cause again as a spy, thanks to her connections with the Underground Railroad (Kettler). Eventually, Tubman was able to establish her own network due to the trust put into her by the officials.
Harriet was paid a significant sum that she used to purchase information (Kettler). Due to these activities, Tubman prevented a major tragedy from happening, as she learned about the safe passage through the otherwise dangerous water space (Kettler). This heroic act, along with many others, was appropriately recognized later on.
Activism in Late Years
Life after the war was brutal, especially for people of color. Tubman, despite her assistance, was not recognized in full for many years. The salary that was promised to her was reduced by a significant amount due to factors that cannot be clearly pinpointed as of now (Kettler). The lack of payments was devastating, yet she fought hard against discrimination from the government and contacted authorities many times until they recognized her achievements (Dunbar 111).
Eventually, she did receive a smaller pension and acquired a piece of land that became her long-term home in which Tubman was living with a war veteran Nelson Davis and an orphaned girl Gertie (Dunbar 118). Alas, she did not receive all due payment for her work, which was only paid in the year 2003 to the elderly home she founded (Kettler). Tubman proceeded to care for Davis until his death at the age of forty-five and served as a mother for an orphan (Dunbar 119). She selflessly provided care for others, taking little to none for herself.
Two major directions for Tubman’s actions can be examined during that part of her life: women’s rights and people of color’s rights movements. Women’s suffrage movements grew more popular at that time, giving Tubman a perfect opportunity to become a public figure promoting equal rights. She made many appearances as a spokesman for such organizations as the National Woman Suffrage Association (Dunbar 121). Even in her sixties, she worked hard for the betterment of society; instead of settling down and living with the family she had in Canada, she remained adamant about continuing her work.
Moreover, she remained a vocal advocate for equal rights for Black people. At that time, she made connections with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Auburn under a promise that the church would assist her with the realization of her dreams of fair treatment of people of color (Dunbar 124). Despite being illiterate, she gave many speeches at rallies for the causes she deeply cared about (“Facts: Harriet Tubman”).
Tubman remained to be a highly religious person, as she lived her late years in the elderly house that was created under her instructions. Harriet Tubman died at the age of 91 in the elderly care house that was built due to her efforts (Dunbar 127). Her burial proceeded with military honors, and her contributions made her an American hero (“Facts: Harriet Tubman”). Although there were issues with honoring her last wishes, it can be said that she succeeded at many goals she had in life.
Tubman’s Legacy
The death of this true activist did put a sudden stop to many of her initiatives. Although Tubman lived to old age and her story was known since the beginning of the Twentieth century, there are gaps in the knowledge of her legacy since her death. These empty holes exist due to such factors as the disregard for the history of Black people during that time, the secrecy of some of her work, and inaccurate accounts of her life (Walters 187). Moreover, once she resurfaced in the history of the United States, her story was primarily covered by non-factual books that portrayed her as an overly heroic, even legendary person (Walters ix).
These books were written in the late nineteenth century and contained numerous exaggerations and misconceptions (Levy). Only after almost a hundred years her legacy was restored by historians who gathered and analyzed all the sources of data regarding Tubman’s biography (Levy). Thus, the story of Harriet Tubman presented in the most recent books appears to be factual yet may sound unbelievable due to her truly incredible feats of heroism and selflessness.
It is undeniable that her contribution to the fight for freedom was immeasurable. The selflessness of Tubman put her among the most admired Americans of all time, and her courage inspired many feminist and Black social rights movements (Walters 193). The nickname “Black Moses” remains related to her even nowadays, as people recognize her contributions in history classes and in inspirational biographical works (Levy). As of today, her legacy is shown in the movie depicting her life that was released in 2019 and will be commemorated through a new $20 bill (Hornik). This woman avoided the fate of becoming a mythic hero, but she did become a legend that inspired generations and continues to do so.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Harriett Tubman played a critical role in the Black civil rights movements across the United States, starting from the liberation of slaves in 1865. Two significant factors helped her with starting a genuinely inspiring story, as she was born in truly dire conditions as a slave, yet the strength of her character helped her to become a leader and savior for many. Her early years did not break her but instead molded her into a fierce fighter for freedom, respect, and equality. This energy allowed Tubman to participate in social change movements until her death in 1913. She inspired thousands of people during her lifetime, helping slaves to escape their masters and stay hidden, participating in the Civil War and in many social rights movements after it.
Despite the temporary oblivion into which her legacy was put after her death, Tubman continues to show a shining example of a woman of color with a strong will. She fought for many great causes that changed the course of history for the United States and kept true to herself and her beliefs. It can be said that Harriet Tubman is the second most famous Black activist and the first Black woman who showed the world what a true believer could do.
Works Cited
Clayton, Matt. Harriet Tubman: A Captivating Guide to an American Abolitionist Who Became the Most Famous Conductor of the Underground Railroad. Captivating History, 2020.
Dunbar, Erica A. She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman. 37 Ink, 2019.
“Facts: Harriet Tubman.” Harriet Tubman. Web.
Hornik, Susan. “Harriet Tubman: 4 Things to Consider About Her Life and the Movie ‘Harriet’.” Los Angeles Times. 2019. Web.
Kettler, Sara. “Harriet Tubman’s Service as a Union Spy.” Biography. 2020. Web.
Levy, Renee G. “Maxwell Perspective: The Truths Behind the Myth of Harriet Tubman.” The Maxwell School of Syracuse University, 2020. Web.
Walters, Kerry. Harriet Tubman: A Life in American History. ABC-CLIO, 2019.