Important Events in Fredrick Douglass' Life

Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist

Frederick Douglass, one among the leading personalities in civil rights history, escaped a life of slavery and went on to become a social justice advocate; he is counted among prominent personalities like President Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Susan Brownell Anthony and William Lloyd Garrison. The historic 13th Amendment was the fruit of Douglass' and others' efforts towards civil rights; but Douglass knew well that African-Americans had a long way to go in gaining complete freedom. Douglass, in 1832, was sent away from the city, to Thomas Auld's plantation. Thomas (Hugh Auld's brother) sent Frederick to Edward Covey, the infamous "slave-driver and negro-breaker" who was known for crushing the resistance of any slave. Here, Douglass was beaten severely. Once, the 16-year-old Douglass retaliated, physically besting Covey; hereafter, he was never whipped again. In 1841, Douglass got acquainted with William Lloyd Garrison (a highly outspoken abolitionist and founder of abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator) in an anti-slavery meeting. Douglass was urged to relate his story to all, thus, spurring his career. He began lecturing at abolitionist gatherings, earning quick repute as a fluent and persuasive speaker (Biographies, n.d.).

In the turbulent 1850s, Douglass strived hard for emancipation; he broke away from Garrison, who publicly burned the Constitution's copies, criticizing it as a blatantly pro-slavery text, and began publishing the North Star, a newspaper of his own. By the time the Civil War started, Douglass became the most renowned black individual in America. During the course of the war, he persistently petitioned the then-President Abraham Lincoln to explicitly aim at emancipation and sanction colored regiments in the Army. Two of Douglass' sons were part of the first regiment comprising of African-Americans, the 54th Massachusetts. The Constitution's 13th, 14th and 15th amendments saw his efforts vindicated. After this, Douglass served in many government positions, continuing to strive throughout the Reconstruction period and later for securing civil rights for the freed African-Americans. He has famously stated that abolishing slavery is not the end- it is only the beginning (Biographies, n.d.).

Summary of the event: "What to a Slave is 4th of July?"

In the decades following the American Civil War, Douglass's initial optimism and anticipation for quick, lasting reforms dwindled with the ruling majority, tired of internal conflict, failing in its assurance to enforce political and civil rights of freed men in ex-rebel U.S. states. However, Douglass remained undaunted, continuing his persistent schedule of writing and speaking, striving to remind later generations that the war had both a right and wrong side. He propagated his everlasting faith in America's promise and mission. While he was preparing for yet another talk on the importance of equality of justice to all citizens, Douglass suddenly suffered a stroke or heart attack and passed away on 20 thFebruary, 1895. (Myers, 2011)

Douglass's ultimate goal was integration, with his theme being confidence (on rational grounds) in USA's capability to secure equal justice for every citizen, regardless of their color, sex, creed or race. Again, this hope was principally based on Douglass' understanding of the unique nature of America's foundation; he maintained that first things were always interesting, especially in case of an emerging nation devoted to the universal tenets of justice. (Myers, 2011)

In spring 1851, Douglass publicly declared his shift in opinion; however the most forceful statement of Douglass 'reformed view was made, (quite fittingly) during his Independence Day speech in 1852, considered often as the greatest abolitionist speech ever. Here, Douglass forcefully criticized America's injustices, while at the same time, paying great attention to distinguishing the nation's current practice from its initial principles, as well as distinguishing the actions of ensuing generations from its Founders' actions. (Myers, 2011)

In his famous 1852 speech, mentioned above, Douglass stated that the men who signed the Declaration of Independence were brave and great statesmen, heroes and patriots. However, in his insightful opinion, the key source of this greatness, which allowed them to become Founders of the nation and not remain as mere revolutionaries, was inherent in their devotion to the 'saving' or 'eternal' principles laid down in the revolutionary, unique document signed by them, rather than in bravery. The founders of the American republic, intentionally and with great faith in freedom and justice principles, entrenched the keystone of America's superstructure, which is forever rising in grandeur (Myers, 2011)

Douglass had, in truth, since long been fascinated with the Revolution and the Declaration; therefore, after breaking away from Garrison and his approach to abolitionism, Douglas began appreciating the entire Founding process, understanding the Constitution as a document committed to the Declaration's saving principles. Disparaging the Constitution as a pro-slavery document meant slander upon its Framers. Douglass argued that the Constitution, if interpreted in the right sense, was an outstanding liberty document. He further stated that he challenged one and all to present a single clause in the constitution that is pro-slavery, upon plain reading. On the contrary, one can find purposes and principles in the Constitution, entirely opposed to slavery's existence (Myers, 2011).

Importance of event for America

The famous Independence Day speech by Douglass instantaneously impacted the reading public of North America. The speech was published as pamphlets in the following weeks, reaching hundreds of citizens who weren't present at the event at Rochester. This speech remains as one among the most eloquent expressions of exclusion from America's Republican experiment, leading to democratic U.S. (Barnes, n.d.). Here, Douglass didn't merely present himself to the public. When he began addressing the issue of slavery, the corresponding issue of racism, which was already brought up in Rochester's Corinthian Hallowing to his skin color, was also effectively addressed. Even some abolitionists held a strong prejudice against African-Americans -- that they were inferior and, in fact, not fully human. This speech of Douglass's was designed for dispelling that belief. Douglass' introduction with use of the word 'exordium', hinted at his learning; he indicated to the audience that they would witness a serious presentation of rhetorical and learning skill which, if he were indeed inferior, would be quite beyond his capacity (Engel, n.d.).

How the event changed the daily life of Frederick Douglas

Douglass praised America's founders for their principles and the good done by them, expressing hopefulness that this new and developing nation would, one day, overcome injustice; the speech precisely provoked shame, anger, and subsequent discussions (which was its aim in the first place), not just in Corinthian Hall, but all over America in the following weeks, persisting for months (Braswell, 2015).