What to the Slave is the Fourth of July

In his Fourth of July speech, why does Douglass say to his audience that “The Fourth of July is yours, not mine”?

• He believes that, too often, African Americans such as himself are excluded from celebrations of public holidays.

• He believes that enslaved persons should not celebrate the Fourth until they have earned their freedom.

• He and others like him do not believe in some of the key values

  represented by the holiday.

• He contends that the liberty affirmed by the holiday has been denied to African Americans such as himself.

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In his Fourth of July speech, Douglass says that “above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the wail of millions.” To what is he referring?

• the angry protest of African Americans against slavery

• the extensive sufferings of enslaved African Americans

• the anger of slaveholders opposed to slaves’ freedom

• the outrage of Northerners opposed to slavery

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Which of the following best summarizes Douglass’s judgment of the “conduct of this nation” in his Fourth of July speech?

• By engaging in slavery, the United States commits a crime, revealing the evil principles on which it was founded.

• By engaging in slavery, the United States disgraces itself, violating the principles of independence it celebrates.

• By celebrating liberty, the United States offers hope, showing that it will free the slaves despite its mistreatment of them.

• By celebrating liberty, the United States redeems itself, showing that despite slavery, it still has good intentions.

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In which of the following situations has a person most clearly conceded something? Choose based on your knowledge of the meaning of conceded.

• Tomas told the team that he was taking a break from practice.

• Sid finally accepted the truth and logic of Sara’s argument.

• Mikela let Miguel go ahead of her in line at the cafeteria.

• Ramon and Taylor agreed to a debate on a controversial topic.

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Which of the following is the best definition of denounce?

• punish severely

• reason clearly

• criticize harshly

• announce loudly

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Read the following quotation from Douglass’s Fourth of July speech:

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 hour. . . .

[However,] I do not despair . . . “The arm of the Lord is not shortened,” and the doom of slavery is certain. I, therefore, leave off where I

began, with hope. While drawing encouragement from the Declaration of Independence, the great principles it contains, and the genius of American institutions, my spirit is also cheered by the obvious tendencies of the age.

Which answer choice best summarizes the view of the future expressed in the quotation?

• Slavery will end because slaveholders cannot afford to fight their opponents.

• Slavery will eventually come to an end due to the nation’s principles and the antislavery movement.

• Slavery will end because slaveholders will be punished due to their violations of religious principles.

• Slavery will eventually come to an end due to awareness of its

  gruesome practices.

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