Born a slave, Frederick Douglas "lifted himself up from bondage by his own efforts, developed, later, a great talent as an abolitionist lecturer, a newspaper editor, a recruiter for Union troops in the Civil War, became a noted figure in American life, and gained World-wide recognition as the foremost spokesman for his oppressed people and courageous champion of many other progressive causes of his time." However, could Frederick Douglass ever have been able to accomplish all this with out being literate? The answer is no. Frederick, despite all efforts to stop him, taught himself how to read and write while living under harsh quarters as a slave. This ultimately led to his knowledge of freedom and the learning of how unjust slavery really was. Although Frederick was inspired by a few of the documents; "What is an American?" the Declaration of Independence, Prince Hall's Petition, and The Constitution, there were a few that also discouraged him in his hope for abolishing slavery and fighting for equal rights as an African American.
According to the Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, God has given each human equal rights to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." The declaration begins with the discussion of such profound philosophical and religious concepts because it aims to justify a very bold venture. Declaring a separation from the most economically and militarily powerful nation on Earth, Jefferson and the continental Congress evoke these principals so that every law of creation seems to justify Independence. Upon reading this, Frederick, after living in America all his life as a slave, was somewhat discouraged by this. If independence and freedom is what this country wants, then why are people living as slaves? Why does this legal document, given forth by their very own government, state that we are all given equal rights and equal freedom, but then still continues to allow slavery? The declaration goes on to say that it asserts a right of revolution.
