What kind of risks did Harriet Tubman face while helping others?

Harriet Tubman faced significant legal and physical risks while helping others escape from slavery. Legally, she was in constant danger of being arrested and prosecuted under laws that penalized aiding runaway slaves, such as the Fugitive Slave Act. This act made it a crime to assist individuals in escaping bondage, meaning Tubman could have faced imprisonment or severe penalties for her actions.

On a physical level, Tubman's work involved traveling dangerous routes, often through hostile territory. She risked her life repeatedly, navigating through forests and swamps and facing the threat of capture by bounty hunters and slaveholders. Her escapes often required her to protect not only herself but also the individuals she was leading to freedom, making her mission one of intense personal danger. These legal and physical challenges underscore the bravery and commitment Tubman demonstrated in her quest for freedom for herself and others.