Equal Rights?

By: Morgan Jacobs

     Equality among all is what many strive for on a daily basis. During 1852 to 1906, the United States struggled with giving everyone equal rights. At the time, the only people who could own land, vote in elections, and run for office were white males. Women were not allowed to do these things because they needed to “keep the house in order.” Slaves on the other hand, had to fight the fact that they weren’t given equal rights because they were not white. These equality issues lead to Fredrick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, and Abraham Lincoln to fight for equality for all.
     To start, Fredrick Douglass fought for slave rights. Douglass thought that the Fourth of July was only a day only for the free white men to celebrate. He felt the independence of the country was made by the white me, so it didn’t feel like his country. Douglass talked about this saying that “... the rich inheritance of injustice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not me.” (Doc. 1G Par. 3) The different practices the United States had also done were considered the most shocking and bloody compared to other nations according to Douglass. The many deaths that had came because of slavery made Douglass think this. Douglass saw how slaves were being treated and as a result, decided to fight for them to get equal rights just like the free white males.
     Next is Susan B. Anthony. Anthony fought for women’s rights. Webster, Worcester, and Bovier all defined a citizen as a person in the United States who is entitled to vote and hold office. She thought that because men could hold office and vote, why can’t women not do the same. Anthony thought that men were like kings, they were always in control unlike women on the other hand who were like servants. The servants were always working for the king. The United States formed a union of not just white males, but with women as well and so women should have the same rights as white men. “And we formed the it not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of our prosperity; but to the whole people - women as well as men.” ( Doc. 1I Par. 3)
     Lastly, Abraham Lincoln fought for everyone to have equal rights. The Civil War ended with everyone having equal rights, except for women and slaves. The lives lost because of the Civil War represented the fight of freedom for all. People fought for others so everyone was equal. The people wanted everyone to be equal and Lincoln helped to express this thought. Lincoln thought that the Civil War had also helped to recreate a new type of freedom. “... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth.” (Doc. 1H Par. 3)
     In conclusion, Fredrick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, and Abraham Lincoln all fought for equality and freedom in our country and in our government. It was shown through actions like voting even when it was against the law. It was shown by people speaking out about how people were excluded from having basic rights. Finally, it was shown by people in the United States by fighting in the Civil War, so everyone could have the same rights and be equal compared to the average white male at the time.