Read Frederick Douglass, Excerpts from What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? (July 5 1852), found on Blackboard (under Course Materials), and answer the following questions:
Background of the Document (primary source): In the first paragraph, write a brief introduction about the author and a general description of this particular document which he wrote. [Usually, this information is provided in the first page of the document.]
General Overview: Following next, a general discussion of the documents content should be provided. Here, the student must devote one or two paragraphs for this section. It is precisely here that students provide an overall description of this source. The critical review itself will come afterwards. In this case, the general overview can be provided by answering these two questions:
What are the main arguments that Douglass uses to criticize slavery and to question the meaning of the fourth of July regarding the slaves?
Methodology & Sources: It is very important that students pay attention to the historical sources and methods used for writing this document.
For example, does the author rely on factual historical evidence or on opinions and assumptions to support his position against the institution of slavery? Furthermore, does the author use humor, sarcasm, crude criticism, or sharp intellectual analysis to elaborate on his ideas?
Critical Historical Analysis: In this section (which must comprise the bulk of the work), students must proceed to assess and critique the authors arguments and views by testing them against historical experience and circumstances.
First, how well does Douglass present the information and his ideas? If not, explain why.
Second, what are the strengths and weaknesses of his views against the institution of slavery and his defense for the abolition of slavery in the US? Here the student must cite at least one quote from the document to point out either a strength or flaw in the authors analysis.
Third, based on historical experience, do you think the authors description of slavery accurately reflects the way it was practiced during his day? Here students must cite historical examples or situations that exemplify either the accuracy or misconceptions presented here concerning the lives and social conditions of African slaves in the US.
