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How Did Slavery Affect American Life

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Slavery was one of the biggest factors of life in the 1800’s. Slaves impacted just about every aspect of an American's lifestyle in one way or another. When Americans realized that if they wanted to produce more money growing crops, they were going to need some more help. It is estimated that 12.5 million slaves came over seas on the slave trade, and only 10.7 million survived. And of those 10.7 slaves that survived, only around 388,000 came to North America. The ones that didn’t come to the states went to the Caribbean and elsewhere. Slaves from Yyesteryear are affecting lives for Americans now. Everything from the south and the Confederate flag, to white and black racial tensions, to the black lives matter movement, all have roots stemming from the slaves and the slave trade. Some of the most …show more content…
The exact date and year Douglass was born is unknown, but he chose to celebrate his birthday on February 14th. Frederick lived on a plantation, with his expected father as the plantation owner and his mother passing away by the time he was 10. He got sent to live with Hugh Auld in Baltimore, and there Mrs. Auld taught Douglass to read and write and help him to become the intellect he was. It was through reading that he developed his ideas about slavery and other social issues. He escaped slavery on his third attempt, after two unsuccessful ones. He escaped up to New York with love interest Anna Murray, to a thriving black community. There, he was urged by William Lloyd Garrison to speak publicly for anti-slavery. Frederick accepted the challenge, but wasn’t always successful. Sometimes he would get mobbed. Douglass did go on to have success in his speakings about civil issues, and even got on the ballot for United States Vice President. Douglass wrote his autobiography, which helped spread the evils of slavery. He was very successful in his life, up to his death in

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