Nicole Nowlin
Ms.Spender
United States History Standard
March 12, 2024
The excerpt, “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” (July 5, 1852), was created by Fredrick Douglas and demonstrates a bad day for people like him in the United States during the whole Civil War era. The Civil War era was tragic and messy. “Political, economic and social problems in the North. About 800,000 Union soldiers are going to be returning from the Civil War and obviously, they spend a lot of their time fighting in the Civil War and now they're coming back home and they are looking for jobs.” (LL, 3/7). The Civil War had many events and some of them were negative and some were positive and helped people. Some people had a rough time; like slaves had a harder time during the Civil War than most people. “What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham…There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.” (Douglas). Frederick Douglas was trying to point out that Fourth of July is not a happy day for all people. Some people have endured great suffering during this holiday. Some of this reliance was carried on to the Reconstruction Era to build a new setting for people who had it rough during the Civil War period. Slaves were not involved in this new world yet. During this period African-americans gaining political representation will help African Americans be represented and have their issues helped to be resolved. This will hurt African-Americans because as they gain more political power, it will lead to others wanting to take it away from them. The excerpt, “Inaugural Address” (1861) was created by Abraham Lincoln and showcases the rebellious state and never left the Union. Lincoln focused on social, legal and political changes and used those to try and make the state a better place for everyone. “Doubly justified by the absence of wrong on our part, and by wanton aggression on the part of others, there can be no cause to doubt that the courage and patriotism of the people of the Confederate States will be found equal to any measure of defense which their honor and security may require” (Lincoln). Lincoln is trying to address that the United States would continue to fight to preserve the nation. He was also addressing the issues in the United States and that we needed to make changes in order to have a better Nation. The excerpt, “Emancipation Proclamation” (1863), was created by Abraham Lincoln and demonstrates that slaves should be free and all people should be civilized and united as one. Abraham states that, “I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.” (Lincoln). Lincoln was willing to use force to defend the Federal Law and Union. “After the Civil War with reconstruction governments, they raised taxes sharply. Many former Confederate officers and officials were denied voting rights during reconstruction and thus they said that they were being taxed without representation.”(LL, 3/11). This explains how the war was and who was trying to make it better and who was trying to destroy people/places. Both the Civil War and Reconstruction Era were devastating and stupendous and not many people got what they deserved. Like African-Americans deserve freedom and equal rights but not many get them.
This image describes Abraham’s “Speech of Gettysburg” about how slavery is wrong, all men are equal, and how the Nation needs new laws to deal with. This shows him up in a stadium delivering his speech with lots of petitioners. Some people did not agree with him but with Lincoln’s help, the Nation got a little better during the Civil War and Reconstruction Era. Abraham thought that if everyone was treated as equals our Nation would be stronger and more civilized for all people.
Change the wording for this whole thing
Nicole Nowlin
Ms. Spender
United States History Standard
March 12, 2024
The excerpt, “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” (July 5, 1852), by Frederick Douglass, illustrates the struggles faced by individuals like him during the Civil War era in the United States. This was a tragic and tumultuous time in American history, marked by political, economic, and social challenges in the North. The return of approximately 800,000 Union soldiers from the war created a labor market competition, intensifying the difficulties faced by many individuals, particularly slaves. Frederick Douglass highlighted the hypocrisy of celebrating the Fourth of July while slavery and injustice continued to oppress a large segment of the population. The Reconstruction Era sought to address these injustices and create a new future for those who had endured hardships during the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln’s “Inaugural Address” (1861) emphasized the need for social, legal, and political changes to improve the American state and bring together a divided nation. Lincoln was determined to preserve the Union and defend it from threats, asserting the courage and patriotism of the American people. The “Emancipation Proclamation” (1863) issued by Lincoln further reflected his commitment to freedom and equality for all individuals. This transformative document declared the freedom of all slaves in designated states, emphasizing the importance of unity and civilized society.
The image depicting Abraham Lincoln delivering the “Speech of Gettysburg” captures his belief in the abolition of slavery and the equality of all men. His vision for a stronger and more civilized nation resonated with many, despite facing opposition. The Civil War and Reconstruction Era were marked by devastating challenges and progress, as efforts were made to address the injustices faced by African-Americans and create a more equitable society for all. Lincoln’s leadership and vision played a crucial role in shaping the future of the United States during this transformative period.