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Douglass
Douglass
the continued fostering of the institution on Americas soil. He notes the hypocrisy of Americas cry for
liberty abroad but not at home. He list the churches faults and implores the church to cast off slavery.
Douglass next attacks arguments that state the Constitution promotes slavery. He notes l defy the
presentation of a single pro slavery clause in it. On the other hand it will be found to contain principles
and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery.
Interpretation
I was surprised at Douglasss militant tone in his speech. His attack on church principles. He applied
Americas arguments against British tyranny to his arguments against slavery. He exposed the hypocrisy
of church and state in regards to slavery. The fact that he gave the speech to The Ladies of the
Rochester Anti-Slavery Sewing Society is indicative of the role of women , especially northern women
played in the abolition movement. The text notes the significance of Outspoken women such as
Sojourner Truth, Maria Steward and Francis Harper (282) American Stories to the anti-slavery
movement. Douglass was well spoken and articulate. As John Green states, Fredericks elegance and
sophistication of arguments become a strong argument for abolition. The arguments for enslavement
and the inherent inferiority of African Americans, cant account for a man like Frederick Douglass.
Nineteenth Century Reforms (US #15). Douglass speech supplies amno against the nineteenth century
pseudo science of phrenology used to justify African inferiority thru physical measurements. The
Chapter 12 : Lecture 3 on The Falsity of Linear Development: Ulterior Motives, states that Phrenology
was both liberating and dangerous. Its liberating Because it asserted that the mind could be improved,
freeing Americans from the doctrine of the Original Sin. Its dangerous because it encouraged the
belief that anatomy was destiny. Chapter 12, Lecture 3.
What are the after effects of the American Colonization Societys actions on Liberia?
Did colonization make sense in regards to the fact that African Americans were a generation or more
removed from their originating homelands?