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  3. Slavery was legal for over 200 years in some parts of North America, particu

Slavery was legal for over 200 years in some parts of North America, particu

游客2023-10-12  79
问题     Slavery was legal for over 200 years in some parts of North America, particularly the southern states of the United States, where the plantation system of agriculture depended on the labor of slaves, most of whom came from Africa. Slaves had no rights or freedoms, because they were thought of as property. However, slavery had opponents from the time of its origin. The abolitionist movement began in the 1600s when Quakers in Pennsylvania objected to slavery on moral grounds and wanted to abolish the institution.
    In 1793, Canada passed a law abolishing slavery and declared that any escaped slaves who came to Canada would be free citizens. Canada refused to return runaway slaves or to allow American slaves hunters into the country. It is estimated that more than 30, 000 runaway slaves immigrated to Canada and settled in the Great Lakes region between 1830 and 1865.
    The American antislavery movement was at the height of its activity during 1800s, when abolitionists developed the Underground Railroad, a loosely organized system whereby runaway slaves were passed from safe house to safe house as they fled northwards to free states or Canada. Because the Underground Railroad was so secret, few records exist that would reveal the true member of people who traveled it to freedom.
    Runaway slaves usually traveled alone or in small groups. Most were young men between the ages of 16 and 35. The fugitives hid in wagons under loads of hay or potatoes, or in furniture and boxes in steamer and on rafts. They traveled on foot through swamps and woods, moving only a few miles each night, using the North Star as a compass. Sometimes they moved in broad daylight. Boys disguised themselves as girls, and girls dressed as boys. In one well-known incident, twenty-eight slaves escaped by walking in a funeral procession.
    The "railroad" developed its own language. The "trains" were the large farm wagons that could conceal and carry a number of people. The "tracks" were the backcountry roads that were used to elude the slave hunters. The stations were the homes and hiding places where the slaves were fed and cared for as they moved north. The agents were the people who planned on the escape routes. The "conductors" were the fearless men and women who led the slaves toward freedom. The "passengers" were the slaves who dared to run away and break for liberty. Passengers paid no fare and conductors received no pay.
    The most daring conductor was Harriet Tubman, a former slave who dedicated her life to helping other runaways. A determined worker, she carried a gun for protection and supply of drugs to quiet the crying babies in her rescue parties. A number of white people joined the effort, including Levi Coffin—an Indiana Banker, who hid runaway slaves in his home, a "station" conveniently located on three main escape routes to Canada. He was called the "President of the Underground Railroad" because he helped as many as 3, 000 slaves to escape. The Underground Railroad continued operating until slavery in the United States was finally abolished in 1865.
                                                Information about Slavery
    The abolitionist movement began in the【B1】________century.
    In 1793, Canada passed a law abolishing slavery so that former slavers could live as【B2】________there.
    In 1800s, abolitionists in America developed the【B3】________, a loosely organized system that helped salves escape to free states or Canada.
    In one well-known incident, twenty-eight slaves escaped by walking in【B4】________.
    Harriet Tubmanis was famous for【B5】________. [br] 【B1】
选项
答案 17th／seventeenth
解析 文章的第一段最后一句提到，奴隶制废除运动在17世纪开始，因此，空格处应填17th／seventeenth。
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