Unit 2 Essay

Introduction
According to the dictionary society is the aggregate of people living together in a more or less
ordered community. Individualism, the 19th century philosophy that encouraged freedom and
individual rights helped create an American society that values freedom, rights, and equality.
This type of society fought through cultural turmoil by speaking up about protests and speeches.
A variety of 19th century texts express ideas about the relationship between the individual and
society during times of cultural turmoil as seen in Frederick Douglass’s speech “what to the
slave is the fourth of july?’’ and Elizabeth Cody Stanton ‘s speech “Declaration of Sentiments.
Both Douglass and Stanton believed that everyone should have equal rights. They both valued
freedom and equality. They both wanted to teach their readers that to fight for the rights that are
theirs.

Douglass lived during a time of cultural turmoil when there was slavery. Their speech, “What to
the slave is the fourth of july?” connects to individualism because Douglass believes people
should have rights to do whatever they want. It also connects to society because nobody
shouldn’t feel like they are controlled. In their speech, they write, “Are the great principles of
political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended
to the US? “. This quotation connects to society because he’s asking if the Declaration of
Independence of all men and women are treated the same. Douglass and Stanton both value
justice for all.

Stanton lived during a time of cultural turmoil when women did not have a voice. Their speech,
“Declaration of Sentiments” connects to individualism because she didn't have a voice that
would be heard by men. It also connects to society because women should be equal to men
because they are the same. In their speech , they write, “ He has made her, if married, in the
eye of the law, civilly dead.” This quotation connects to society because once they are married
they become properties. Stanton and Douglass both believed all people, regardless of their skin
color, should be treated the same.

Conclusion
Everyone is entitled to the same basic rights and you shouldn’t fight for them. Douglass and
Stanton used Individualist ideas to encourage valuing freedom, equality, and right to be yourself.
These values helped them fight through cultural turmoil by the war’s speeches. I learned that
women were treated bad and not equal like men.