Part 2, Chapter 9

The events of the 1850s proved that the slaveholding interest, or “Slave Power,” would not be satisfied until it had obliterated all impediments to slavery’s expansion and silenced all critics of slavery’s morality. South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks’s “[s]hocking and scandalous” assault on Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, for the crime of what Brooks considered an offensive speech, won Brooks the approval of his constituents and the admiration of many southern women. As such, it showed “the thoughtful people of the North the kind of civilization to which they were linked, and how plainly it foreshadowed a conflict on a larger scale” (247). Meanwhile, the 1854 repeal of the Missouri Compromise had opened the entire trans-Mississippi West to the prospect of slavery. Kansas Territory erupted into open warfare, drawing thousands of pro- and anti-slavery settlers, including Douglass’s old friend <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Character" href="https://www.supersummary.com/life-and-times-of-frederick-douglass/key-figures/#262361">John Brown</a>, whose violent exploits there on behalf of freedom Douglass deems “a terrible remedy for a terrible malady” (254). On October 16, 1859, the night Brown and his men seized the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, as part of a plan to liberate slaves (though not the same plan Brown had explained to Douglass at their first meeting 12 years earlier), Douglass was speaking in Philadelphia.

Part 2, Chapter 9 Summary: “Increasing Demands of the Slave Power”

Part 2, Chapter 10

Part 2, Chapter 10 Summary: “The Beginning of the End”

Part 2, Chapter 11

Part 2, Chapter 11 Summary: “Secession and War”

Part 2, Chapter 12

Part 2, Chapter 12 Summary: “Hope for the Nation”

Part 2, Chapters 9-12

Part 2, Chapters 9-12 Analysis

History: U.S.

American Civil War

Book Events

Black History Month Reads

Values & Ideas

Books on Justice & Injustice

Books on U.S. History

Equality

Nonfiction

Inspiring Biographies

Memorial Day Reads

History: World

Military Reads

Frederick Douglass

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

The Autobiographies

Guide

Study Guide

Book Brief

Explore Life and Times of Frederick Douglass reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

About Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Life and Times of Frederick Douglass and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Summary and Study Guide

contentWarning

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Life as a Slave”

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-8

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 1, Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 9-13

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 1, Chapters 9-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 14-17

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 1, Chapters 14-17 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 18-21

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 1, Chapters 18-21 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Second Part”

Part 2, Chapters 1-5

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 2, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 6-8

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 2, Chapters 6-8 Summary & Analysis

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 2, Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 13-15

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 2, Chapters 13-15 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 16-19

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 2, Chapters 16-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Third Part”

Part 3, Chapters 1-4

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 3, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 5-7

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 3, Chapters 5-7 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 8-9

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 3, Chapters 8-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 10-13

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Part 3, Chapters 10-13 Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Key Figures

theme

Themes

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Themes

Index of Terms

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Important Quotes with Page Numbers

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Essay Topics

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

Part 2, Chapters 9-12Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 2: “Second Part”

Related Titles

Featured Collections