Inventions / Communications Change, Antebellum / Slavery: Frederick Douglass and Abolition Printing

Inventions / Communications Change, Antebellum / Slavery Word Document

Similar content addressed in SOLs: VS.1a-i; USI.1a-h; USI.8d, USI.9a-d

In the early-to-mid 1800s, a group of activists called Abolitionists fought for the end of slavery. These men and women traveled around the country using a variety of tactics such as holding meetings, making speeches, and leading protests to promote their cause. One of the more popular methods abolitionists used was printing. Because of advances in printing presses, abolitionists could quickly and cheaply print out pamphlets, newsletters, and newspapers to help get the word out about ending slavery.

  • Frederick DouglassOne of the leaders of the abolition movement was Frederick Douglass. Douglass was a powerful speaker, talented writer, and popular organizer during the mid-1800s. His abilities coupled with his experiences as a former slave led him to become the national leader of the abolitionists.
  • The North StarDouglass, a former slave who learned how to read and write, strongly believed in the power of both the written and spoken word. In 1847, Douglass started a newspaper, seen above, called the /North Star/, to help promote causes that ranged fro
  • Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave / written by himself.Frederick Douglass also published an autobiography. The “Narrative of Frederick Douglass” was one of the most widely-read abolitionist texts from the 1800s.
  • Illustrations of the Anti-Slavery AlmanacWilliam Lloyd Garrison co-founded the Anti-Slavery Society in 1833 with abolitionist Arthur Tappan. The society wanted to make the cause of abolition more popular nationwide and openly campaign for an end to slavery. Seen here is a broadside (a single printed sheet popular in the 1700s and 1800s) from the Society’s annual almanac.
  • The Anti-Slavery Harp: A Collection of Songs for Anti-slavery MeetingsAnother way that abolitionists like Frederick Douglass used printing to get their message across was publishing popular songs. In the document printed above, William Wells Brown, himself a former slave like Douglass, writes this poem to begin his songbook.