Frederick Douglass Flashcards
(12 cards)
Who was Frederick Douglass?
An escaped slave who became a famous abolitionist and writer.
What is Douglass best known for writing?
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.
How did Douglass learn to read and write?
He was secretly taught by his owner’s wife, then taught himself.
Why was literacy important to Douglass?
He believed knowledge was the path to freedom.
How did slaveholders keep control over slaves?
Through fear, violence, and ignorance.
Why did slaves often “wear a mask”?
To hide their true feelings and avoid punishment.
Why didn’t Douglass show much emotion in his writing?
To let readers feel the horror of slavery on their own.
What role did religion play in slavery, according to Douglass?
Slaveholders used religion to justify cruelty.
What was Douglass’s view on justice under slavery?
He saw it as corrupt—slaves were denied all rights.
How did Douglass resist slavery mentally?
By learning, thinking, and refusing to accept his condition.
What did Douglass do after escaping slavery?
He gave speeches, wrote books, and fought for abolition.
What was one of Douglass’s major goals?
To prove that Black people were intelligent and human
