Question

Difficulty: EasyBlack Abolitionism and Anti-Slavery Activism

The following is an excerpt from the prospectus of *The North Star*, published by Frederick Douglass in 1847:

'We are now about to establish a newspaper... devoted to the interests of our enslaved and oppressed countrymen. In doing this, we are not seeking to build up a separate interest, or to encourage a spirit of isolation. We intend to stand our ground on American soil, believing that our deliverance is to be wrought out here, where our ancestors have labored, and where our descendants must live.'

Based on the excerpt, which of the following was a primary objective of Frederick Douglass's anti-slavery activism?

  1. A
    Organizing immediate emigration to West Africa or the Caribbean
  2. Achieving emancipation and civil rights within the United StatesAnswer
  3. C
    Establishing isolated Maroon communities in the southern wilderness
  4. D
    Focusing solely on local spiritual matters rather than political resistance

Answer

Achieving emancipation and civil rights within the United States
In the excerpt, Frederick Douglass explicitly states the intention to 'stand our ground on American soil' and asserts that 'deliverance is to be wrought out here,' demonstrating that his goal was to achieve freedom and equal rights for African Americans within the United States rather than seeking separate territories or emigration.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the text for Douglass's geographical focus.
The text states: 'We intend to stand our ground on American soil, believing that our deliverance is to be wrought out here...'
This establishes that Douglass envisioned the struggle and its resolution taking place domestically within the United States rather than through relocation.
2
Relate the goal of 'deliverance' to the broader objectives of the abolitionist movement.
'Deliverance' refers to the emancipation of enslaved people and the advancement of their rights.
By seeking this deliverance within the United States, the primary goal aligns with securing freedom and equal citizenship rights domestically.

Key Concept

Black Abolitionism and Anti-Slavery Activism
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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