Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass

            Frederick Douglass was born into slavery, but he rose to become one of the icons for the abolition of movement in America. Throughout his life, he influences many by overcoming the odds and becoming one of the most significant abolitionist speakers. He greatly impacts American social structure by writing about his life as a slave, helped on women’s rights to gain momentum on the abolitionist movement, and also fought for the establishment of black solider in the union army.

Though Frederick was a slave, he dared the risk of writing about his life in order to start his movement. In this case, Frederick Douglass established an abolitionist paper known as the North Star on December 3, 1847, in Rochester, New York (Frederick Douglass, a 3). The North Star was recognized as the most influential paper, which was against the black antislavery during the era of antebellum. Also, Frederick Douglass wrote 3 Biographies. He wrote his first autobiography in 1845, which was known as the “Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. Frederick used this book to describe his experiences as a slave and further used it to promote the cause of abolition, thus making it be the best-selling book of the session. In 1855, he published another book known as “My Bondage My Freedom,” in which he discussed in greater detail concerning his transition from bondage to liberty. Frederick further published the last autobiography in 1881, and was revised in 1892, which was known as the “Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.”

This book covered events during and after the Civil war. Also, Frederick Douglass further terminated his Douglass’s monthly journal in order to obtain a military commission (Frederick Douglass, b 4). Besides, he terminated his journal after returning to the United States to support the anti-slavery war. In this case, he met with Abraham Lincoln for the emancipation of the slave.

Nonetheless, Frederick helped in supporting the rights of women in order to acquire support for the abolitionist movement. In this scenario, he was often the only black man who appeared to support women and further dedicated his life to attaining justice for all minority groups and African Americans. Also, Frederick was among the Black men who participated in the National Women’s Convention, which was held in Washington, DC. He performed a speech in which he declared the need for gaining social, political, civil, and religious rights of women. Besides, After the Convention, Frederick Douglass participated in fighting against women’s suffrage. In this case, he collaborated with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and founded the American Equal Rights Association. This organization was formed to demand universal suffrage rights of both black women and men.

Moreover, Frederick Douglass thought bringing in black troops will help with the movement. He further took some measure of involving the blacks in the war. Frederick held a meeting with Abraham Lincoln, in which several issues were discussed that concerned unfair treatment and unequal pay among the black soldiers in the army. Besides, he recruited black soldiers from the North to take part in the war for their freedom. However, after the Civil War, the Fifteenth Amendment was approved. This Amendment provided all black men the right to participate in voting.

In conclusion, the overall impact that Frederick Douglass did for the movement was huge. It ranged from risking his freedom to writing and publishing articles. Later, he wrote an autobiography to gain support from fighting for women’s rights. Lastly, he participated in involving black troops to achieve their rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work Cited

Frederick Douglass, Authors and Artists for Young Adults, vol. 48, Gale, 2003, pp1-7, Accessed 10 Mar. 2020.

Frederick, Douglass, and Anne Commire. Historic World Leaders. Gale, 1994, pp1-4, Accessed 10 Mar 2020.