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AP Success - AP US History: Frederick Douglass on 4th of July for Slaves

Frederick Douglass was an African American orator, writer, and abolitionist who lived during the 19th century in the United States. Born into slavery, he escaped and became a prominent voice in the movement to end slavery and promote civil rights for African Americans.

Fellow-citizens...I hear the mournful wail of millions! whose chains...are, to-day, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them...My subject, then fellow-citizens, is AMERICAN SLAVERY...the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July!...America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future...I will...denounce...everything that serves to perpetuate slavery — the great sin and shame of America!...What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him...the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim...your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license...your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless...There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.

“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852.

Question 1

Short answer

Briefly describe one perspective about the Fourth of July expressed in the excerpt.

Question 2

Short answer

Briefly explain one historical trend that influenced the opinions expressed in the excerpt.

Question 3

Short answer

Briefly explain one specific historical event from 1852 to 1860 that resulted from opinions like those expressed in the excerpt.

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