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Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau Begins to Work with the Underground Railroad

Season 1 Episode 3 | 5m 03s

In 1850, the U.S. Congress passes the Fugitive Slave Act, makes it legal for slave owners to reclaim any runaways, even those who had escaped to free states. The women of the Thoreau household had already been active in the Underground Railroad, but this new law spurs Thoreau into action, too. Thoreau gives an impassioned speech about the freedoms that all human beings deserve titled "Walking."

Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Major funding for HENRY DAVID THOREAU was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members: The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment and Mark A. Tracy. Major funding was also provided by Jeff Skoll, the Mansueto Foundation, Tyson Foods, Inc., and The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Additional funding was provided by the Tyson Family Foundation Inc, The Neil and Anna Rasmussen Foundation, Roxanne Quimby Foundation Inc, Jim and Mona Mylen through The HeartSpace Fund, and Elizabeth Kenny.
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