Fredrick Douglass

"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July" by Fredrick Douglass'we needed to answer the five questions by citing the page number and paragraphs within each answer. using the article and citing any other source that is used thanks1)What positive things that Frederick Douglass say about the Founding Fathers of the United States?2. How in Douglass view, does the current generations of Americans compare with the Founding Fathers? Be specific.3)What positive things does Frederick Douglass have to say about the Declaration of Independence? 4)Why does Douglass say that he is opposed to using argument and persuasion to make his point? 5)According to Douglass, how does the American slave view the Fourth of July?

Full Answer Section

     

Douglass recognizes the power of the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. He quotes the passage about self-evident truths and unalienable rights (paragraph 3), highlighting the inherent contradiction between these ideals and the existence of slavery.

4. Opposition to argument and persuasion:

Douglass argues that reason and persuasion have failed to end slavery. He states, "I do not intend to indulge in useless repetition of the self-evident truths known to all" (paragraph 4) and "I will not argue with you about it" (paragraph 5). He suggests that the facts of slavery and its injustice speak for themselves.

5. The Slave's View of the Fourth of July:

Douglass emphasizes the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while Black Americans remain enslaved. He states, "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn" (paragraph 7). The holiday is a painful reminder of their own unfulfilled desire for liberty.

Additional Notes:

This analysis provides a deeper understanding of Douglass's message and the complex relationship between the ideals of the American Revolution and the reality of slavery in the United States.

Sample Answer

     

Here's the analysis of "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass, citing the relevant page numbers and paragraphs from the text:

1. Positive things about the Founding Fathers:

Douglass acknowledges the achievements of the Founding Fathers but qualifies his praise. He states, "[I]n their ruptures from the mother country, they were right" (paragraph 2). He respects their fight for independence from Britain.

2. Comparison of generations (Current vs. Founding Fathers):

Douglass critiques the hypocrisy of the current generation compared to the Founding Fathers. He highlights their fight for liberty while enslaving others: "Your fathers said to England, 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable