20 Questions

Questions to Ask Harriet Tubman

Thoughtful questions to ask Harriet Tubman about her life, experiences, and wisdom, covering her role in the Underground Railroad, Civil War service, and legacy of freedom.

1

What gave you the courage to escape slavery and risk your life to help others?

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Why this works

Understanding her motivation and inner strength helps us learn about resilience and the power of determination in the face of overwhelming odds.

2

How did you navigate the Underground Railroad and avoid capture?

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Why this works

Learning about her strategies and methods provides insight into her intelligence, resourcefulness, and the network of support that made freedom possible.

3

What was the most dangerous moment you faced during your missions?

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Why this works

Understanding the risks she took helps us appreciate the magnitude of her sacrifice and the courage required to help others escape.

4

How did you maintain hope during the darkest times?

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Why this works

Learning about her sources of strength and hope can inspire us to find resilience in our own challenging circumstances.

5

What role did faith play in your life and decisions?

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Why this works

Understanding her spiritual foundation helps us see how faith can provide strength and guidance in the most difficult situations.

6

How did you prepare others for the journey to freedom?

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Why this works

Learning about her teaching methods and preparation techniques shows her leadership and care for those she helped.

7

What was your relationship with your family like after escaping?

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Why this works

Understanding her family connections helps us see the personal cost of her choices and the love that motivated her actions.

8

How did you handle the fear and uncertainty of each mission?

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Why this works

Learning about her emotional management techniques can help us develop courage and resilience in our own lives.

9

What advice would you give to someone facing impossible odds?

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Why this works

Her wisdom from overcoming incredible challenges can provide guidance for anyone facing difficult situations.

10

How did you build trust with the people you helped?

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Why this works

Understanding her relationship-building skills shows how trust and communication are essential for leadership and helping others.

11

What was your experience during the Civil War?

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Why this works

Learning about her wartime service shows her continued commitment to freedom and justice beyond the Underground Railroad.

12

How did you deal with betrayal or people who couldn't be trusted?

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Why this works

Understanding how she handled difficult people and situations can teach us about discernment and protecting ourselves and others.

13

What was your vision for a free society?

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Why this works

Learning about her hopes and dreams for the future can inspire us to work toward justice and equality in our own time.

14

How did you maintain your health and strength for such demanding work?

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Why this works

Understanding her physical and mental preparation shows the importance of self-care when helping others.

15

What was the most rewarding part of helping others escape?

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Why this works

Learning about what motivated her can inspire us to find meaning and purpose in helping others.

16

How did you handle the emotional toll of your work?

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Why this works

Understanding her emotional resilience can help us learn how to care for ourselves while caring for others.

17

What would you say to young people today about standing up for what's right?

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Why this works

Her perspective on courage and justice can inspire the next generation to work for positive change.

18

How did you balance personal safety with helping others?

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Why this works

Learning about her risk management can help us understand how to help others while protecting ourselves.

19

What was your relationship with other abolitionists like?

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Why this works

Understanding her collaborations shows the importance of working with others to achieve common goals.

20

What legacy do you hope to leave for future generations?

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Why this works

Learning about her hopes for the future can inspire us to consider our own legacy and impact on the world.

Best Practices for Learning from Harriet Tubman

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Respect and Reverence

Approach her story with the respect it deserves. Her life represents incredible courage and sacrifice.

Learn from Her Example

Use her story as inspiration for your own life. Look for lessons about courage, determination, and helping others.

Understand the Historical Context

Learn about the time period and circumstances that shaped her life and decisions.

Apply Her Wisdom

Consider how her principles of justice, freedom, and helping others can apply to modern challenges.

Question Sequences

The Courage and Motivation Sequence

1
What gave you the courage to escape slavery and risk your life to help others?
2
How did you maintain hope during the darkest times?
3
What role did faith play in your life and decisions?
4
What advice would you give to someone facing impossible odds?

The Underground Railroad Sequence

1
How did you navigate the Underground Railroad and avoid capture?
2
What was the most dangerous moment you faced during your missions?
3
How did you prepare others for the journey to freedom?
4
How did you build trust with the people you helped?

The Legacy and Wisdom Sequence

1
What was your vision for a free society?
2
What would you say to young people today about standing up for what's right?
3
What legacy do you hope to leave for future generations?
4
What was the most rewarding part of helping others escape?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Romanticize Her Struggle

Her life was incredibly difficult and dangerous. Don't minimize the real risks and hardships she faced.

Don't Ignore the Historical Context

Understand the time period and circumstances that shaped her life. Don't judge her by modern standards.

Don't Oversimplify Her Story

Her life was complex and multifaceted. Don't reduce her to just one aspect of her story.

Don't Forget Her Humanity

She was a real person with fears, doubts, and struggles. Don't make her into a perfect, unattainable figure.

Conversation Templates

The Learning Framework

1
Step 1: Start with: 'What gave you the courage to escape slavery and risk your life to help others?'
2
Step 2: Follow with: 'How did you navigate the Underground Railroad and avoid capture?'
3
Step 3: Ask: 'What was the most dangerous moment you faced during your missions?'
4
Step 4: Close with: 'What advice would you give to someone facing impossible odds?'

The Inspiration Framework

1
Step 1: Start with: 'What was your vision for a free society?'
2
Step 2: Follow with: 'What would you say to young people today about standing up for what's right?'
3
Step 3: Ask: 'What legacy do you hope to leave for future generations?'
4
Step 4: Close with: 'What was the most rewarding part of helping others escape?'

Further Reading

"Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom" by Catherine Clinton
"Bound for the Promised Land" by Kate Clifford Larson
National Park Service - Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman Historical Society

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