“Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” Introductory Notes

“A House Divided: Slavery and Civil War I. Civil War I. Civil War *7 States seceded from the union & *7 States seceded from the union & formed the Confederacy formed the Confederacy * War waged against the remaining * War waged against the remaining states which formed the Union states which formed the Union * War lasted 4 years * War lasted 4 years * Over 620,000 men were killed * Over 620,000 men were killed * Much of the South lay in ruins * Much of the South lay in ruins * 4 million slaves gained freedom due to * 4 million slaves gained freedom due to the Emancipation Proclamation the Emancipation Proclamation

II. Slavery * States assumed their individual rights * States assumed their individual rights which threatened the country’s unity which threatened the country’s unity * Slavery was accepted by southeners * Slavery was accepted by southeners * Conflicts arose as those who opposed * Conflicts arose as those who opposed slavery spoke out against it. slavery spoke out against it.

III. African-American Voice: Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass * Escaped slavery * Escaped slavery * Taught himself to read and write * Taught himself to read and write * Championed the abolitionist cause * Championed the abolitionist cause * Wrote an authentic account of slavery * Wrote an authentic account of slavery in America “Narrative of the Life of in America “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” Frederick Douglass”