Description
Part 1 (5 pages minimum)
You would have read that Frederick Douglass was born a slave in an isolated Maryland plantation and
then escaped. He traveled extensively in the North and abroad and became a prominent abolitionist. He
counseled President Lincoln during the Civil War and influenced some of his decisions.
What enabled Frederick Douglass to escape from slavery? In answering this, you should include all the
significant people, experiences, incidents and books that created a desire in him to escape and gave him
the ability to do so. You should also explain HOW these factors influenced him. Once Douglass
escaped he joined up with abolitionists in the North and became a prominent abolitionist. What role did
he play in the abolitionist movement in the U.S. and abroad? You should also discuss his introduction
to the world of abolitionists, his extensive work as an abolitionist at home and abroad, and his views on
the purchase of his freedom. You should discuss his views on the Constitution. You should further
include in your answer his views on the Civil War, on Abraham Lincoln, and his work in the Civil War.
Part 2: (2 pages minimum)
Listen or read the transcript of historian Eric Foner’s interview in the NPR program. What similarities
do you see between Douglass’ experiences and the experiences that Professor Foner discussed.
According to Foner what reasons did slaves give for wanting to escape? What estimate did Foner give
for the number of slaves who escaped through New York city? What is Foner’s opinion on the
importance of the Fugitive Slave Act? What is the source of the information in Foner’s book “Gateway
to Freedom” and who found it?
http://www.npr.org/2015 – Research Paper Writing Help Service/01/19/377606644/gateway-to-freedom-heroes-danger-and-loss-on-the-
underground-railroad
