The main purpose of the Underground Railroad was to assist enslaved African Americans in escaping slavery in the United States. It was not an actual railroad but a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the early to mid-19th century. Abolitionists, both black and white, risked their lives to help fugitives find freedom in northern states and Canada. The Underground Railroad played a critical role in the struggle against slavery, highlighting the resilience and bravery of those involved while raising awareness of the moral injustices of slavery to a broader audience.