1. American Political Theory – POL 265 Erik Rankin Frederick Douglass Chapter 18

2. Frederick Douglass  Speech at the Anti-Slavery Association (1848) Former slave Former slave Learned to read and write Learned to read and write Escaped to NY in 1838 and became free Escaped to NY in 1838 and became free Worked with William Lloyd Garrison (famed abolitionist) Worked with William Lloyd Garrison (famed abolitionist) Started his own paper, The North Star in 1847 Started his own paper, The North Star in 1847 Broke with Garrison due to his withdrawal from political action Broke with Garrison due to his withdrawal from political action Support total abolition and women’s rights Support total abolition and women’s rights

3. Frederick Douglass  Read aloud the pictorial description of America  The picture sounds extreme but Douglass thinks it is less extreme than the real facts of slavery  I want every man north… Who does this sound like? Who does this sound like? Do you agree with Douglass? Do you agree with Douglass?

4. Frederick Douglass  I desire to say here as elsewhere… Douglass does not care where you live or with who you are associated (i.e. church) if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem Douglass does not care where you live or with who you are associated (i.e. church) if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem  Douglass does not support the Union, Constitution, or church “as it is”  He promises to speak against slavery whenever he can

5. Frederick Douglass  Justification that blacks have the right to stay, just like whites Alluding to Henry Clay, who is he? Alluding to Henry Clay, who is he?  Douglass feels that all slaves want nothing more than to stay in the US and not return to Africa or elsewhere  “They used to sometimes ask me…” Condemns whites as slaves too Condemns whites as slaves too  “The northern people …”  “…men cannot fight slavery under the Constitution” What does this final passage mean? What does this final passage mean?

6. Frederick Douglass  The Various Phases of Anti-Slavery All men desire liberty All men desire liberty Agreed?Agreed? Condemnation of tyranny Condemnation of tyranny “No man should crave the possession…” “No man should crave the possession…” “ Now we hold…” “ Now we hold…” Who is he talking about?Who is he talking about? Douglass goes on to speak about each abolitionist group and their views on slavery Douglass goes on to speak about each abolitionist group and their views on slavery

7. Frederick Douglass  Republican Party (Free Soil) “No slavery outside the slave states.” “No slavery outside the slave states.” Keep within constitutional limits Keep within constitutional limits “It virtually concedes to slaveholders…” “It virtually concedes to slaveholders…” No interest in the complete abolition of slavery No interest in the complete abolition of slavery How do you think Douglass feels about the Republican or Free Soil party? How do you think Douglass feels about the Republican or Free Soil party? Why is this interesting? Why is this interesting?

8. Frederick Douglass  Garrison Abolitionists “No union with slaveholders” “No union with slaveholders” Dislike of Constitution due to its pro-slavery stance Dislike of Constitution due to its pro-slavery stance Opposed to political action for the abolition of slavery Opposed to political action for the abolition of slavery Refuse to vote, why? Refuse to vote, why? Sound like Thoreau again?Sound like Thoreau again? Great quote “So much then for the position of the Garrison Abolitionists…” Great quote “So much then for the position of the Garrison Abolitionists…” Admonition of both Republicans and Garrison abolitionists, “But this is not all…” Admonition of both Republicans and Garrison abolitionists, “But this is not all…”

9. Frederick Douglass  Read the statement on the bottom of p.211 Slave righting himself is laughable to Douglass Slave righting himself is laughable to Douglass The slave cannot “right himself” any more than an infant can grapple with a giant. The slave cannot “right himself” any more than an infant can grapple with a giant.  Liberty Party Slavery is illegal Slavery is illegal Deny the Constitution is a pro-slavery document Deny the Constitution is a pro-slavery document Why is it pro-slavery to others?Why is it pro-slavery to others? What is the only thing they are asking What is the only thing they are asking This meets all of their other pointsThis meets all of their other points “Radical Abolitionism lays the axe at the root of the tree.” “Radical Abolitionism lays the axe at the root of the tree.” This is the duty of the governmentThis is the duty of the government Opposed to dissolution of the Union unless what? Opposed to dissolution of the Union unless what?

10. Journal Entry  What is your overall opinion of Douglass?  How do you view his feelings in light of Thoreau and his ideas in Civil Disobedience?  Discuss your experiences with the history of Frederick Douglass today? Should we read more of him? Should we read more of him?