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Frederick Douglass: The American Slave System

Decent Essays

Frederick Douglass opened people’s eyes to see how the American Slave System worked. Douglass overall purpose was to have people whether they were against slavery or for it, to understand the process of slavery. Such as racial inequality, enforced labor, course clothing and cruel beatings. Douglass had already experienced events when he was a slave. Douglass audience were abolitionist, Northerners, people who defended slavery, and Southerners. He was such a gifted speaker and his speeches were a “powerful tool”, against slavery. He wanted them to understand slavery effects slaves, how it affects slave owners and the effect the institution of slavery. Two Positions the Douglass stated was that “Slavery is terrible for slaves”, and “slavery corrupts slave owner”. …show more content…

They also believed if it was abolished it would “wreck the Southern Economy” (pg.10 par. 2). But Douglass wanted them to understand the clear meaning of how was terrible for slaves and corrupts slave owners. Southern stated “God Created some people to be slaves and some to be masters” (pg 10 par. 5). Douglass stated, “When you do something wrong you try to convince yourself is it right.” This example proves Southerner's new Slavery was wrong and would try to convince themselves it as right. Douglass owner Mr. Auld is an example on one who defended Slavery his wife Ms. Auld taught Douglass how to read and write some..”if you teach that nigger how to read…he would at once become unmanageable.” (Chapter VI para.3), Auld said to his wife. Douglass’s evidence disapproves the position of those who defend Slavery by using what Southerners said against them and uses Mr. Auld as an example. People who defended Slavery tried to convince themselves that it was right and that it helped in many

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