The Underground Railroad was a network of people who helped runaway slaves escape to the north. It moved hundreds of slaves northward every year. This was incredibly dangerous. Slave owners were most often cruel and easily agitated. A system to help runaway slaves started around the end of the 18th century. In 1786 George Washington talked about how one of his runaway slaves was helped by a "society of Quakers, formed for such purposes." The system grew, and around 1831 it started being called "The Underground Railroad". You'll find out why it was called this on the next page.