As a well-known abolitionist and former slave, Douglass was cautious of the government's commitment to ending slavery. He had witnessed firsthand the brutality of slavery and doubted the willingness of those in power to grant equal rights to African Americans.
He also feared that even after slavery had been abolished, African Americans would still face social, economic, and political oppression. He worked tirelessly to fight against discrimination and to ensure that African Americans had the same opportunities as other citizens.
Douglass's fears were valid, as the years following the Civil War were marked by continued discrimination, segregation, and violence against African Americans.
Here are some specific fears Douglass had:
- The Supreme Court would overturn the Emancipation Proclamation. Douglass believed that the Supreme Court, which had previously upheld slavery in the Dred Scott decision, could overturn the Emancipation Proclamation. This would have re-established slavery in the United States.
- The federal government would not enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. Douglass worried that the federal government would not take action to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. This would have allowed slave owners to continue to hold slaves, even though they were nominally free.
- White southerners would resist Reconstruction. Douglass believed that white southerners would resist the efforts of the federal government to reconstruct the South. This could have led to violence and bloodshed, and could have prevented African Americans from gaining their full rights.
- The United States would not become a truly egalitarian society. Douglass dreamed of a day when all Americans would be treated equally, regardless of their race. However, he feared that the United States would never achieve this goal. He believed that racism was too deeply ingrained in American society, and that it would take many years to overcome.