Frederick Douglass and Henry David Thoreau

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Frederick Douglass was an American slave. Henry David Thoreau was a writer from the 17th century. The narrative read about Frederick Douglass was about his life as a slave, and how it changed as time went on, including his eventual release from enslavement. The article about Henry Thoreau was in regards to the theory of Civil Disobedience, and his role in the creation of that theory.

Frederick Douglass lived from 1817 until 1895. He was a slave in Maryland, and was under the custody of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Auld. Mrs. Auld helped Frederick learn to read, which set the foundation for the person he became. With the ability to read, he began to educate himself, which led to his eventual freedom. Douglass concluded that slavery had a negative effect on both parties involved, and the political system of this country was unjust. Many laws, unjust laws, were passed in the late 1700's and the early 1800's to prevent the ability of slaves to seek freedom. Douglass wrote an autobiography and avoided being captured for it by speaking on tour in Great Britain and Ireland. Upon returning to the United States, he founded an abolitionist paper publication, for which he was nationally acclaimed, in Rochester, New York. During the Civil War, Douglass somehow convinced Lincoln to further the war effort by releasing slaves, and in 1863, Lincoln gave his famous Emancipation Proclamation. With these and other efforts, Frederick Douglass became the first African American to have an influence in the government, and become a national figure.

Henry David Thoreau lived fr...

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...nbsp; Overall, both pieces had their fair share of similarities between them. The only real difference was the way they presented their ideas. Both men either changed the way the country was run, or paved the way for change, being two of the first men that spoke up and stood up for what they believed, and did not let anything stand in their way.

Works Cited Page

Jacobus, Lee A. Frederick Douglass. "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave." A World Of Ideas: essential readings for college writers. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002. 125-139

Jacobus, Lee A. Henry David Thoreau. "Civil Disobedience." A World Of Ideas: essential readings for college writers. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2002. 141-167

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