Question

Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?
How does this rhetorical question contribute to the passage’s central idea?
It encourages African Americans to discuss the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
It reinforces the idea that the rights given to others are not extended to African Americans.
It reveals that Douglass has an in-depth knowledge of the Declaration of Independence.
It gives the rest of the speech importance by referring to a famous historical document.

Answer 1

The answer is B. It reinforces the idea that the rights given to others are not extended to African Americans.

 

EXPLANATION

 

The speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” was delivered by Frederick Douglass, an American orator, social reformer, abolitionist, writer, and statesman. Born a slave in Maryland, he became the leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, notably for his writings and oratory on antislavery.  

Frederick Douglass was viewed as a living example to dismantle the arguments the slaveholders have, particularly about the slaves lacked the intellectual capacity to be an independent American citizen. Douglass believed fervently inequality of all peoples, regardless of them being white, black, Native American, Chinese immigrants of the female.  

He also believed that dialogues and making alliances are possible across racial and ideological divides and in the liberal values of the U.S Constitution. He has been criticized by radical abolitionists, which hold the motto “No Union with Slaveholders” because of his willingness to enter in dialogue with slave owners. His famous reply was “I would unite with anybody to do right and nobody to do wrong”.

 

After the Civil War, Douglass works hard for the equality of African-Americans and women. Because of his activism and work during the war, Douglass received several political positions. He served as president of Freedman Savings Bank during the Reconstruction era, and charge d’affaires for the Dominican Republic.  

 

During this time, white insurgents began to rise in the South, first began as the Ku Klux Klan, a secret vigilante group. The armed insurgency began to shape in many models, such as White League and the Red Shirts, both active in the 1870s in the Deep South. Douglass combated these efforts by supporting the presidential campaign of Ulysses S. Grant in 1868, and also starting his last newspaper, the New National Era, to make sure his country holds the commitment of equality.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

What to the Slave is the Fourth July: brainly.com/question/3289399  

Writer’s purpose of writing “What to the Slave is the Fourth July”: brainly.com/question/7170873  

KEYWORD: What to the Slave is the Fourth July, Frederick Douglass, rhetorical question

Subject: English

Class: 10-12

Subchapter: What to the Slave is the Fourth July

Answer 2

When referring to 'us' it would be better if you stated the minority or majority.


Anyway, The entire American Government was made to support the white man. There is no such thing as equality or political justice, nor is what remains of it supporting others.




2) It reinforces the idea that the rights given to others are not extended to African Americans


p.s. Maybe write on the margin of the paper (beside the second question): Rights were only given to the white man, thats why in many situations the white women would find themselves in an aliance with the African Americans— it was fueled by a want/need for freedom.