Essential Questions
As Eric Foner, distinguished professor from Columbia University, has argued, "Lincoln and Douglass started at "opposite sides of the spectrum" with respect to slavery and its abolition and cannot be defined by one source, one phrase, or one moment in history, but over a "period" of time." With that in mind, both Lincoln and Douglass adjusted their views over time with respect to the abolishment and emancipation of slaves within the political climate and the events surrounding them. Their differing political approaches converged into "anti-slavery politics". By providing excerpts from primary and secondary sources in chronological order, the objective is to observe these changes over time and find connections with regards to similar views.
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Sample Comparative Analysis |
Lincoln's Peoria Speech of 1854 and Frederick Douglass' 4th of July Oration show a similar distaste for the institution of slavery. In his speech, Lincoln openly expresses his hatred towards the "expansion" of slavery when he states, "I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery." Lincoln is reacting to the recent passage of the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854 which would repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1850 limiting the extension of slavery into new territories. Lincoln is preparing to return to politics after a long hiatus from public life while in Springfield, Illinois. He is publicly stating, like Douglass, that slavery as an institution that cannot be allowed to spread to new territories due to its grave injustices.
In 1852, Douglass gives his famous "4th of July Oration" speech in which he points out that slavery does not allow black people either free or enslaved to feel part of the country on this holiday. The existence of the institution of slavery compromises the basic beliefs on which the country was founded. Douglass refers to the "conduct" of the nation as being "black" or full of darkness and injustice.
Although they are disagreeing on the method to abolish slavery, they are both showing a convergence of beliefs that slavery is fundamentally wrong.
In 1852, Douglass gives his famous "4th of July Oration" speech in which he points out that slavery does not allow black people either free or enslaved to feel part of the country on this holiday. The existence of the institution of slavery compromises the basic beliefs on which the country was founded. Douglass refers to the "conduct" of the nation as being "black" or full of darkness and injustice.
Although they are disagreeing on the method to abolish slavery, they are both showing a convergence of beliefs that slavery is fundamentally wrong.