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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of the following best summarizes Douglass's judgement 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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of the following is a main or central claim that Douglass argues in his Fourth of July speech?

• Slavery is an evil that causes great suffering.

• Slavery is an evil that causes him to become outraged.

• Slavery is an evil that goes against American values.

• Slavery is an evil that is doomed to end in the near future.

Which of the following is a counterclaim addressed by Douglass in his Fourth of July speech?

• The Fourth of July "belongs to" the free.

• Slavery is clearly an inexcusable practice.

• Slavery was established by religious law.

• The Fourth of July is a holiday doomed to end.