Necessary Courage (Iowa Underground Railroad) - Part 2

Iowa Civil Rights History

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As the free state came into the union in 1846, its bordering state of Missouri was a slave state. When the issue of slavery became the most contentious issue in the country, the courage to act for Iowans was put to test, Iowans had a choice to make, either to stand on the sideline and watch or to act. Some Iowans chose to act and the Iowa Underground Railroad was born. UGRR was a network of anti-slavery and abolitionists who detested the institution of slavery and wanted to end it.

In this episode; Dave Holmgren from Iowa Historical Society of Des Moines discusses why he thinks Iowans got involved with the Underground Railroad even though there were so many risks. He also discusses the Governors and members of legislatures who were involved with the underground railroad when they knew it was against the law, what drove them. Dave also discusses the lesson we can learn from the underground railroad and apply them in the world we are living in today.

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