Why was the underground railroad illegal?

Question

Why was the underground railroad illegal?

Answer 1

It was not a "railroad" at all, not in the sense you normally think of when you hear railroad.

It was a way for escaped slaves to get to the north where they would have a chance to be free.

Slavery at that time in the South was legal and slaves were considered property the same as workhorses or mules.

so for someone to help escaped slaves going north they were breaking the law.

The slave owners would look at it the same way we would look at a ring of car thieves taking stolen cars out of the country illegally.

Answer 2

The underground railroad had little to do with trains.  

It was a smuggling network of anti-slavery persons that worked together to move escaping slaves through the northern states into safety in Canada.   In that they were depriving slave owners of their property,  they were committing an illegal act in the eyes of the law.

Answer 3

Transportation of stolen goods

Answer 4

It was to hide the property of the plantation owners,  Slaves.....This was used to hide them until they where safe up north or a slave free state.

Answer 5

Because it threatened the white slave owners  maybe??

Answer 6

This should be in History forum.

Reason they call it "Underground Railroad" because there were houses had secret room and house owners help slaves from South escape to north like Frederick Douglass who follow the North Star.

This links will help you.

Answer 7

because slaves were property and they where getting moved away.  the case of dread scott v sandford should some it up for you. i hope your not in high school yet because by then you should no this i hope you not out of high school