1. FREEDOM and SLAVERY & Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave, Written by Himself

2. Historical Context Year: 1845 Slavery: North vs. South – North: Abolitionist movement: antislavery movement that began in 1780’s in W. Europe & US – South: not having it, they needed their slaves for agricultural economy – Both N and S treated slaves as inferior, denying them any legal protection.

3. Underground Railroad a network of people who helped fugitive slaves escape to the North and to Canada not run by any single organization or person: – consisted of many individuals -- many whites but predominantly black -- only knew of the local efforts to aid fugitives and not of the overall operation – effectively moved hundreds of slaves northward each year -- according to one estimate, the South lost 100,000 slaves between 1810 and 1850

4. Underground RR Map

5. Slave Narratives Once they found freedom, slaves began to write about their experiences under slavery Often called “protest literature” With the abolitionist movement, these pieces of literature (and earlier narratives) were being recognized to fuel debates In the world: British Empire abolished slavery in 1830’s

6. Pro-slavery Legislation 1850: Fugitive Slave Law penalized those who assisted runaway slaves and allowed escaped slaves to be tracked down and returned to their ex-slaveholders. 1857: Dred Scott ruling decided African Americans had NO protection under Constitution

7. Douglass’ Narrative With it, he became figurehead for cause, giving African-Americans a voice Again, African-American rights at this time were nonexistent: had limited legal protection in the North (none in South) – Could not hold any public office or vote SO, this type of literature (published in North) was the only way to be heard. A foundational text in American literary canon (core texts) and literary tradition of African-American identity

8. Douglass – the Abolitionist Traveled, giving lectures about the wrongs of slavery (met with discrimination/angry mobs) Extraordinary speaking skills caused his credibility as a slave to be questioned. His Narrative is a response to that criticism, as he explains, in detail, his life as a slave After it was published, he went to Britain for safety until some Quakers raised enough money to buy his freedom in 1847. Most famous speech: “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?”

9. Douglass – the Abolitionist (cont.) Douglass believed in and worked for human rights in many ways, including: – Political action, rather than moral persuasion, to end slavery – The belief that blacks, rather than whites, should lead the movement – His assistance with the Underground Railroad – His efforts to end racial segregation in schools – His support of women’s suffrage