Chapter 7, Canadian Exile Summary

In the early 1850s, Harriet discovered St. Catharines, Ontario, a place that would become her temporary home. Some of her family members also settled here. Canada had about 2.5 million people living on around 240 million acres. Like the United States, it had a tangled history with racism and slavery. Slaves were first brought into Canada in 1628 and as the country wanted to bring in more settlers, they allowed individuals to bring slaves. Later, the laws were changed to eliminate slavery. Slave extradition to the United States was uncommon, making it a safe place for ordinary fugitives.

As the situation in the United States worsened for blacks, many chose to move to Canada. They created many Afro-Canadian communities and some organizations in Canada sought to help fugitives and other blacks who moved into that country. Most blacks in Canada lived in...