American Culture During The Mid 19th Century

Throughout history, there have been many black-rights activists that use their power of speaking to fight injustice and promote equality. One of those activists, who fought for equality with the power of his words, was Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was an African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. He had a vision of the roles of African Americans during and after the war to ensure they receive citizenship and freedom. Frederick Douglass faced many tribulations throughout his life and that only made his speeches for equality and justice that much more powerful because he was a victim of injustice. Douglass believed that if African Americans want to have citizenship and be seen as equals, they must prove that they deserve it. In order to prove that African Americans deserve citizenship, Douglass encouraged them to enlist and join the fight for equality. Although there were obstacles in seeing his vision implemented Douglass stood his ground and fought until his vision becomes reality.

Douglass and President Lincoln agreed that slavery needed to be abolished and the Nation needed to be united as one. Lincoln realized that he needed to bring in Frederick Douglass; the combination of a strong and influential black leader and the President of the United States could now create a cohesive group of abolitionists and the Union. Frederick Douglass realized that President Lincoln’s own personality and political judgment would help him free slaves across the country. Realizing each other’s strengths, both men were able to be effective through the use strong actions and powerful words of one another; their relationship played a key role in changing the nations views on slavery and race.

Unit 3 Final Essay Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln never lost faith in the possibility of humankind’s improvement. Both believed in economic justice and opportunity. Through these two men, the nation partially achieved the goals that Douglass and Lincoln desired due to bills passed, and wars fought, however, the black codes showed equality was not fully achieved. In the speech entitled “from What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass as well as Abraham Lincoln’s “Second Inaugural Address” They develop as well as portray goals for the American society that involve justice and equality.

The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great change and a time of powerful enthusiasm in many areas of society. The world had just finished the biggest war in history, the First World War, and the United States was left almost unharmed by the war. The United States was able to experience a decade of peace and success following the war. During this decade, America became the wealthiest country in the world (Trueman, 2000). The people in the United States went through a colorful period during the twenties. However, at the same time the 1920s was also a very rebellious and difficult time for many. The culture of the 1920s has influenced the culture of America’s society today.

After the Civil War granting African Americans their freedom, Frederick Douglass became a political activist against the institution of slavery. He combined his efforts with John Brown, an abolitionist, engaging in strong minded debates in figuring out whether the U.S Constitution was proslavery, antislavery, created for the well being of all men or only white men. Douglass gained the knowledge of political reform and how to go about movements, in his case, abolition movements, and later on assisting in women rights movements. He learned that being looked upon in politics, as an intelligent and well-respected individual without pursuing force would be the best way to gain his victory. His goal was to persuade the American public opinion against slavery, while praising democratic freedom and progression of American principles, reaching audiences of all sexes and races. He also pointed out

Douglass and the abolitionists argued that because the aim of the Civil War was to end slavery, African Americans should be allowed to engage in the fight for their freedom. Douglass met with President Lincoln to discuss the role of blacks in the Civil War. He felt that military service was important in order to service the rights of citizenship and suffrage. In an interview with President Lincoln he advocated for equal treatment, pay and protection of black soldiers as well as rewards with promotion. “Abraham Lincoln referred to him as the most meritorious man of the nineteenth century (Who was Frederick Douglass?).” With the North no longer obliged to return slaves to their owners in the South, Douglass fought for equality for his people. He made plans with Lincoln to move liberated slaves out of the South. During the war, Douglass also helped the Union by serving as a recruiter for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. “As soon as he got orders to start recruiting for the 54th Massachusetts Regiment his sons, Charles and Lewis, were one of the first ones to enroll (Douglass’ Role in the Civil War).” “His recruitment efforts were highly successful as regiments quickly filled up. Among the best known articles he wrote in Douglass Monthly are “Another Word to Colored Men”, “Why should a Black Man enlist?” and “Men of Color to Arms (Douglass’ Role in the Civil War).” His employment with the Anti-Slavery Society ended however, Douglass continued to fight for equal rights and full citizenship for African

Born into a life of slavery, Frederick Douglass overcame a boatload of obstacles in his very accomplished life. While a slave he was able to learn how to read and write, which was the most significant accomplishment in his life. This was significant, not only because it was forbidden for a slave to read due to the slaveholders wanting to keep them ignorant to preserve slavery, but because it was the starting point for Frederick to think more freely and more profound. Frederick Douglass then taught other slaves how to read and write because he believed and taught “Once you learn to read you will be forever free” (Frederick Douglass). This man was an astonishing individual who

During the mid eighteenth century and the early nineteenth century the United States of America experienced some difficult times throughout the country. It first had to watch it’s own nation split apart during the Civil War, also the U.S. had just fought for it’s own independence from Great Britain not even a hundred years ago. Then shortly after the war and the reconstruction area began, later moving to the beginning of the nineteenth century, the United States witnessed the Great Depression. Another dark period in U.S. history that virtually affected every one in America at the time in both positive and negative ways. Furthermore, the group that experienced some of the challenging times, both socially and economically during the Great Depression

Fighting through slavery, and challenging the norms was their mission. They didn’t have the formal education that we have in our modern days. Abraham Lincoln for instance he was born in the “Slaveholding” state of Kentucky (1809). His father “Thomas Lincoln” was not very literate, but on the contrast he was a talented carpenter and Farmer. His mother had died when he was at the age of nine. He didn’t had formal education, his education and very limited. He had enjoyed reading novels that served him very well in his political career. On the contrast Frederick Douglass was born into slavery, had also went through hardship trying to break the chains of slavery and rising up into a new era, Douglass got separated from his mother when he was just an infant, He had ran to Maryland where he also met other infants. He lived with his maternal grandmother “Betty Baily”, and again the slavery hit and he was separated form his grandmother at the age of seven. When Douglass was at a very young age when he was fighting to obtain and education under the shadow of

Becoming America The American culture, a unique culture. What defines “American.” Americans are defined by events in the 1800’s.

The American Dream rejoices with the stories that begin with humble beginnings and end with prosperity and success; the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a story of upward social success and increased affluence and freedom. Douglass narrates his own life and tells of his failures, thoughts, and accomplishments over the span of his life. He began his life at the bottom of society as a slave. Through hard work, an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and the ability to maintain and fight for his beliefs, Frederick Douglass attained the goal of the American Dream and eventually became a free man. Douglass’s transition from uneducated slave to free citizen was slow, and began when he would pay children in his neighborhood with bread to learn how to read. As a child Douglass recognized the value of education and would sacrifice so much to be able to learn to read, in part to spite his slave owners. With this foundation, he knew he could become accomplished. He used his self-taught education to encourage other slaves to learn and become literate. This foundation and bank of knowledge allowed Douglass to escape from slavery and become a free man. The early scenes in Douglass’s life prove to influence and encourage his success throughout his lifetime, which, in turn, provides further support of the value of the American Dream.

Douglass sees the idea of slaves in a country that is as passionate as about its revolution as America hypocritical; in fact, this is the basis

Douglass offers a historical parallel to support his abolitionist ideology to demonstrate how the ignorance of the past does not have to pervade the present, thus encouraging Plato’s ideal Good within American society. Especially since the fourth of July celebrates America’s liberation from England’s tyrannical rule, a once radical and seemingly unattainable goal, African American’s search for liberty is emphasized. The colonists had good intentions and, “They loved their country better than their own private interests…though this is not the highest form of human excellence (Douglass 5), Douglass’s claim that their intentions were still misplaced shows how he wished for a better, more equal society. This society, would be characterized by a majority of abolitionists, essentially citizens who seek out justice and equality for all, rather than just the white majority currently in power. Douglass’s claims coincide with Plato’s view that “as for persuading and coercing fellow citizens to the point of self-improvement…this alone is the task of a truly good citizen.” (Plato 95) This quote serves as justification for a society comprised of Good citizens that strive to attain compromise and fairness. His want for an inclusive America, calls citizens to action, to truly uphold their constitution which claims it establishes equality. Douglass embodies the Good by attempting to inform his fellow citizens of what justice for all looks like. It’s important to lead virtuous lives, lead by example, and demonstrate the highest form of Good one can possibly attain, and Douglass exemplifies

The Nomadic ancestors of modern Native Americans hiked over a land bridge from Asia to what is now known as Alaska more than 12,000 years ago. Because of longstanding cultural mythology and the truth were that Native Americans constitute among the smallest racial groups in America, there were also misperceptions about indigenous peoples bound. Native American culture is very beautiful and colorful with different types of traditions and beliefs. Native American culture dates back thousands of years to when the ingenious people lived with what in referred to as North

Realism was the first art movement to be born in the 19th century. This arose as a reaction against both Neoclassicism and Romanticism. Realist artists sought to represent the everyday and the ordinary as opposed to the historic, heroic, and exotic. Realism represents a sympathetic portrayal of poor rural workers struggling in hard manual labor.