FREDERICK FREDERICK DOUGLASSDOUGLASS

1818 – 18951818 – 1895

English 12 African HeritageEnglish 12 African Heritage

JL Ilsley HSJL Ilsley HS

One of the most important figures in America's One of the most important figures in America's struggle for civil rights and racial equality was struggle for civil rights and racial equality was Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass

Born into slavery around 1818, he eventually Born into slavery around 1818, he eventually escaped and became a respected American escaped and became a respected American diplomat, a counselor to four presidents, a diplomat, a counselor to four presidents, a highly regarded orator, and an influential highly regarded orator, and an influential writer. writer.

He was self-taught, and accomplished all He was self-taught, and accomplished all without any formal education.without any formal education.

NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASSDOUGLASS,, AN AMERICAN SLAVE AN AMERICAN SLAVE

((Published in Published in 1845)1845)

The The NarrativeNarrative describes Douglas’ life from early describes Douglas’ life from early childhood until his childhood until his escapeescape from slavery in 1838 from slavery in 1838

It became an instant bestseller in America as well as It became an instant bestseller in America as well as in Europe, where it was translated into French and in Europe, where it was translated into French and German. German.

Despite its critical and popular acclaim, however, it Despite its critical and popular acclaim, however, it was met with skepticism by proslavery Americans, was met with skepticism by proslavery Americans, who could not believe that such a brilliant account who could not believe that such a brilliant account could be produced by a slave with no formal could be produced by a slave with no formal education. Some thought that the text was a clever education. Some thought that the text was a clever counterfeit document produced by abolitionists and counterfeit document produced by abolitionists and passed off as Douglass’ writing.passed off as Douglass’ writing.

One needed only to hear Douglass lecture to know One needed only to hear Douglass lecture to know that the words were his own.that the words were his own.

CHAPTER 1CHAPTER 1

Like other autobiographies, Douglass chooses Like other autobiographies, Douglass chooses to begin his story by telling when and where to begin his story by telling when and where he was born. Yet, this is impossible since slave he was born. Yet, this is impossible since slave owners kept slaves ignorant about their age owners kept slaves ignorant about their age and parentage in order to strip them of their and parentage in order to strip them of their identities.identities.

Slaves were reduced to the level of animals: Slaves were reduced to the level of animals: “Slaves know as little of their ages as horses “Slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs” according to Douglass.know of theirs” according to Douglass.

He vividly details the physical cruelties He vividly details the physical cruelties inflicted on slaves, including the rape of inflicted on slaves, including the rape of female slaves by white slave ownersfemale slaves by white slave owners

Separation of mother and child is another way Separation of mother and child is another way slave owners controlled their slaves, slave owners controlled their slaves, preventing slave children from developing preventing slave children from developing familial bonds, loyalty to another slave, and a familial bonds, loyalty to another slave, and a knowledge of heritage and identityknowledge of heritage and identity

CHAPTER 2CHAPTER 2 Douglass discusses the meager food and clothing Douglass discusses the meager food and clothing

allowance given to slaves: “Children from seven to allowance given to slaves: “Children from seven to ten years old, of both sexes, almost naked, might be ten years old, of both sexes, almost naked, might be seen all seasons of the year”seen all seasons of the year”

Children were fed cornmeal mush from a trough on Children were fed cornmeal mush from a trough on the ground, like pigsthe ground, like pigs

CHAPTER 3CHAPTER 3 Douglass was sent to live at Colonel Lloyd’s Douglass was sent to live at Colonel Lloyd’s

plantation. Lloyd owned approximately a thousand plantation. Lloyd owned approximately a thousand slaves, and was especially renowned for his beautiful slaves, and was especially renowned for his beautiful garden, which people traveled many miles to view. It garden, which people traveled many miles to view. It had an abundance of tempting fruits which were off-had an abundance of tempting fruits which were off-limits to the hungry slaves, who were whipped if they limits to the hungry slaves, who were whipped if they were caught stealing fruit. The splendor of Colonel were caught stealing fruit. The splendor of Colonel Lloyd’s estate was made possibly only by the toil of Lloyd’s estate was made possibly only by the toil of the slaves. the slaves.

Ironically, slaves were never allowed to enjoy the Ironically, slaves were never allowed to enjoy the fruits of their labor. They were constantly kept fruits of their labor. They were constantly kept hungry.hungry.

The Colonel also had a stable of splendid The Colonel also had a stable of splendid horses, which he clearly loved more than horses, which he clearly loved more than his slaves.his slaves.

Slaves – under constant surveillanceSlaves – under constant surveillance

Douglass noted that many slaves were Douglass noted that many slaves were intimidated and brainwashed into intimidated and brainwashed into believing that their lot in life was better believing that their lot in life was better than itthan it really was.really was.

CHAPTER 6CHAPTER 6 Douglass shows how slavery corrupts the morality of Douglass shows how slavery corrupts the morality of

whites. Initially Mrs. Sophia Auld, his new mistress, was whites. Initially Mrs. Sophia Auld, his new mistress, was a kind and industrious person, who treated Douglass like a kind and industrious person, who treated Douglass like a genuine human being because she had never owned a a genuine human being because she had never owned a slave before. In the beginning, she did not understand that slave before. In the beginning, she did not understand that teaching Douglass to read and write would free his mind. teaching Douglass to read and write would free his mind.

But after her husband explained to her that freeing But after her husband explained to her that freeing Douglass’ mind could lead her to losing her slave, she Douglass’ mind could lead her to losing her slave, she changed her attitude.changed her attitude.

As long as whites can keep slaves ignorant, they can As long as whites can keep slaves ignorant, they can control them.control them.

CHAPTER 7CHAPTER 7

Douglass spent about seven years in Master Douglass spent about seven years in Master Hugh Auld’s house and, in secret, during that Hugh Auld’s house and, in secret, during that time he learned to read and write. time he learned to read and write.

He tricked neighboring kids into teaching him He tricked neighboring kids into teaching him by giving them bread in exchange for lessons by giving them bread in exchange for lessons and practiced writing by copying little and practiced writing by copying little Thomas Auld’s books.Thomas Auld’s books.

Ironically, his ability to read soon made Ironically, his ability to read soon made him unhappy, for it opened up a whole him unhappy, for it opened up a whole new- and wretched- world for him. new- and wretched- world for him. Reading newspapers, he realized the Reading newspapers, he realized the enormity of a people enslaved by enormity of a people enslaved by powerful white masterspowerful white masters

He was only twelve years old when he He was only twelve years old when he resolved to eventually run away.resolved to eventually run away.

In his autobiography Douglass is not forthcoming In his autobiography Douglass is not forthcoming about how he managed to escape. He explains about how he managed to escape. He explains that his method of escape was still used by other that his method of escape was still used by other slaves and thus he didslaves and thus he did nnoot want to publicize it. t want to publicize it.

However, he reveals the details of his escape in However, he reveals the details of his escape in his third autobiography, published 1881, saying his third autobiography, published 1881, saying that he borrowed identification papers from a that he borrowed identification papers from a friend, a free black sailor, and simply took the friend, a free black sailor, and simply took the train to New York City.train to New York City.

According to Douglass, the Underground Railroad According to Douglass, the Underground Railroad (an organized system of cooperation among (an organized system of cooperation among abolitionists helping fugitive slaves escape to the abolitionists helping fugitive slaves escape to the North of Canada) should be called the North of Canada) should be called the “upperground railroad”. “upperground railroad”.

He honors “those good men and women for their He honors “those good men and women for their noble daring, and applauds them for willingly noble daring, and applauds them for willingly subjecting themselves to bloody persecution”, but subjecting themselves to bloody persecution”, but he is adamantly opposed to anyone revealing the he is adamantly opposed to anyone revealing the means whereby slaves escape.means whereby slaves escape.

The excitement of being free was soon tempered by The excitement of being free was soon tempered by loneliness and fear of being captured and kidnapped. loneliness and fear of being captured and kidnapped. In the North, there were plenty of “man-hunters”, In the North, there were plenty of “man-hunters”, who were eager to take fugitive slaves back to their who were eager to take fugitive slaves back to their owners for a fee. Fortunately, Douglass met an owners for a fee. Fortunately, Douglass met an abolitionist who advises him to move to New abolitionist who advises him to move to New Bedford, Massachusetts and take a new name. Bedford, Massachusetts and take a new name.

““I gave Mr. Johnson the privilege of choosing me a I gave Mr. Johnson the privilege of choosing me a name, but told him he must not take from me the name, but told him he must not take from me the name of ‘Frederick’. I must hold on to that, to name of ‘Frederick’. I must hold on to that, to preserve a sense of my identity.”preserve a sense of my identity.”

One of Douglass’ One of Douglass’ central goals was to central goals was to debunk the mythology debunk the mythology of slavery. Southerners of slavery. Southerners and some Northerners and some Northerners held certain beliefs held certain beliefs about slavery which about slavery which helped them rationalize helped them rationalize its existence.its existence.

Some believed that slavery was Some believed that slavery was justifiable justifiable because several passages from the Bible because several passages from the Bible point to the descendants of Ham (Noah’s point to the descendants of Ham (Noah’s son) being destined for slavery (Genesis son) being destined for slavery (Genesis 9:18-27). 9:18-27).

It was believed that God cursed Ham by It was believed that God cursed Ham by turning his skin black and his descendants turning his skin black and his descendants into slaves. For Southerners, therefore, the into slaves. For Southerners, therefore, the descendants of Hamdescendants of Ham were predestined by were predestined by the scriptures to be slaves.the scriptures to be slaves.

Children of mixed-race parentage were Children of mixed-race parentage were always classified as slaves. always classified as slaves.

If the dark skin of Ham is said to be a sign of If the dark skin of Ham is said to be a sign of this curse, asked Douglass, then why were this curse, asked Douglass, then why were “mullattos” – some of whom had skin not “mullattos” – some of whom had skin not significantsignificantlyly darker than whites – also darker than whites – also destined by birth to be slaves?destined by birth to be slaves?

Another myth held by Southerners was that Another myth held by Southerners was that Africans were intellectually inferior and Africans were intellectually inferior and deserved, or even needed, the white man’s deserved, or even needed, the white man’s care. care.

It was, as British writer Rudyard Kipling It was, as British writer Rudyard Kipling describes, “the white man’s burden” to describes, “the white man’s burden” to colonize, civilize, and Christianize non-colonize, civilize, and Christianize non-Europeans.Europeans.

Douglass condemned both whites and African Douglass condemned both whites and African Americans who bought into this fraudulent Americans who bought into this fraudulent mythology. mythology.

Slave owners and their overseers were the Slave owners and their overseers were the law. Slaves lived in constant terror, scared law. Slaves lived in constant terror, scared into subservience. The control of slaves into subservience. The control of slaves required complete physical, as well as mental required complete physical, as well as mental submission.submission.

The slave system discouraged solidarity The slave system discouraged solidarity among slaves. Owners encouraged slaves to among slaves. Owners encouraged slaves to betray other slaves; a traitor double-crossed betray other slaves; a traitor double-crossed Douglass and prevents his first escape Douglass and prevents his first escape attempt.attempt.

Keeping slaves drunk was also one way of Keeping slaves drunk was also one way of keeping them servile and docilekeeping them servile and docile..

When owners of property died, got When owners of property died, got married, or changed their familial ties, married, or changed their familial ties, their property often changed hands. their property often changed hands. Slaves were particularly afraid of being Slaves were particularly afraid of being sold to Georgia traders because in sold to Georgia traders because in Georgia slaves were treated even more Georgia slaves were treated even more harshly.harshly.

Appraisers valued the slaves much the Appraisers valued the slaves much the same way they assessed animals.same way they assessed animals.

Douglass alsoDouglass also criticized the vicious and criticized the vicious and loudly self-righteous Christianity of slave loudly self-righteous Christianity of slave owners who simultaneously broke the laws owners who simultaneously broke the laws of God in their treatment of slaves – while of God in their treatment of slaves – while professing fervent Christianity. professing fervent Christianity.

The greatest hypocrites were those who The greatest hypocrites were those who quoted chapter and verse of their religion, quoted chapter and verse of their religion, but were savagely cruel to their slaves.but were savagely cruel to their slaves.

He condemned American churches and ministers He condemned American churches and ministers for not speaking out against slavery. The for not speaking out against slavery. The FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT of 1850 legitimized FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT of 1850 legitimized fugitive slave hunting in free states. Under this fugitive slave hunting in free states. Under this Act, even freed African Americans could easily Act, even freed African Americans could easily be accused of being fugitive slaves and taken to be accused of being fugitive slaves and taken to the South. the South.

For Douglass, the Christian church which allowed For Douglass, the Christian church which allowed this law to remain in effect, was not really a this law to remain in effect, was not really a Christian church at allChristian church at all..

SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATESSLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES The first African to arrive in the New World is The first African to arrive in the New World is

believed to have accompanied Christopher believed to have accompanied Christopher Columbus on one of his voyages to the Americas; Columbus on one of his voyages to the Americas; African slaves began arriving shortly after 1492.African slaves began arriving shortly after 1492.

There are records of slaves being in Haiti by 1501. There are records of slaves being in Haiti by 1501. The first Africans arrived in the British colonies The first Africans arrived in the British colonies almost 200 years before Douglass was born. almost 200 years before Douglass was born.

In August 1619 twenty Africans arrived in In August 1619 twenty Africans arrived in Jamestown, VirginiaJamestown, Virginia

The number of Africans in the colonies was The number of Africans in the colonies was relatively small throughout the seventeenth relatively small throughout the seventeenth century. Toward the end of that century, Africans century. Toward the end of that century, Africans were brought to North were brought to North AAmerica as slaves in larger merica as slaves in larger numbers. numbers.

The establishment of large plantations in the The establishment of large plantations in the South encouraged the import of African slaves South encouraged the import of African slaves who were deemed more able to resist European who were deemed more able to resist European diseases than Native Americans.diseases than Native Americans.

THE TRIANGLE TRADE ROUTETHE TRIANGLE TRADE ROUTE

INHUMAN CONDITIONS ON SLAVE-INHUMAN CONDITIONS ON SLAVE-TRADE SHIPSTRADE SHIPS

Because British law did not specify the status Because British law did not specify the status of slaves, the colonists created their own slave of slaves, the colonists created their own slave codes, and these codes varied from state to codes, and these codes varied from state to state. state.

In general, they denied civil rights to slaves, In general, they denied civil rights to slaves, and punishment meted out to slaves was often and punishment meted out to slaves was often harsher than that given to whites for the same harsher than that given to whites for the same crime. crime.

In effect, there were two different legal codes – In effect, there were two different legal codes – one for whites, another for African Americans.one for whites, another for African Americans.

There existed in America There existed in America two different legal and two different legal and moral systems, one for moral systems, one for whites and another for whites and another for slaves. slaves.

Killing a slave was not Killing a slave was not considered a crime by the considered a crime by the courts nor by the courts nor by the community in Maryland, community in Maryland, for example.for example.

Throughout his life Douglass remained Throughout his life Douglass remained close to many Republican politicians, close to many Republican politicians, including Presidents Grant and Abraham including Presidents Grant and Abraham Lincoln, for whose election campaign he Lincoln, for whose election campaign he worked in 1860. worked in 1860.

During that time he worked hard to During that time he worked hard to persuade the Union to accept African persuade the Union to accept African Americans in the military – two black Americans in the military – two black regiments, the 54th and 55th were formed.regiments, the 54th and 55th were formed.

1865 – Lincoln assassinated, Civil War 1865 – Lincoln assassinated, Civil War endsends

In the emotional period after Lincoln’s In the emotional period after Lincoln’s death and the defeat of the South, death and the defeat of the South, Congress passedCongress passed::

– TThe THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT he THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT (abolishing slavery)(abolishing slavery)

– TThe FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT (defining he FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT (defining citizenship. For the first time, citizenship was citizenship. For the first time, citizenship was defined by the Constitution and was extended to all defined by the Constitution and was extended to all people born within the United States – including people born within the United States – including African Americans – but excluding Native African Americans – but excluding Native Americans who received citizenship in 1924)Americans who received citizenship in 1924)

– TThe FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT (granting he FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT (granting suffrage, voting rights to African Americans – a suffrage, voting rights to African Americans – a right denied American women until 1920 and right denied American women until 1920 and Native Americans until 1924).Native Americans until 1924).

In the years preceding and following Douglass’ In the years preceding and following Douglass’ death, the increasing use of segregation denied death, the increasing use of segregation denied African Americans the rights accorded by the African Americans the rights accorded by the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments. Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments.

A year after Douglass’ death, the U.S. Supreme A year after Douglass’ death, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation was legal under the Court ruled that segregation was legal under the Constitution; the Constitution; the ‘separate but equal’‘separate but equal’ doctrine doctrine was not fully overturned until the was not fully overturned until the CIVIL CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.

Douglass ended his third autobiography with Douglass ended his third autobiography with a warning about the rise of JIM CROW a warning about the rise of JIM CROW LAWS LAWS

The Jim Crow laws imposed near-slavery The Jim Crow laws imposed near-slavery status on African Americans in the Southstatus on African Americans in the South

Douglass pointed out that economic slavery Douglass pointed out that economic slavery can be just as devastating as legal bondagecan be just as devastating as legal bondage