Black History: Frederick Douglass

Video Version: https://youtu.be/2TJHOrDC-NA

Frederick Douglass was born on a plantation in Talbot County, Maryland. His mother was a slave and when Frederick was born, he became a slave, too.

Life as a slave was very difficult, especially for a child. He seldom saw his mother who died when he was ten years old. A few years later, he was sent to serve the Auld family in Baltimore. Around the age of twelve, his master's wife, Sophia Auld began to teach Frederick the alphabet. It was against the law at that time to teach slaves to read and when Mr. Auld found out, he forbid his wife to continue teaching Douglass. However, Frederick was an intelligent young man and wanted to learn to read. Over time, he secretly taught himself to read and write by observing others and watching the white children in their studies.

In Massachusetts, Douglass met with people who were against slavery. These people were called abolitionists because they wanted to "abolish" slavery.

In addition to speaking out for the freedom of slaves, Douglass believed in the equal rights of all people. He was also outspoken in his support for women's right to vote.

Douglas became the most famous black man of his time, publishing his own newspaper and giving speeches around the country and in Europe