Frederick Douglass, slavery, and the Constitution, 1845
Document Type
Book
Publication Date
2019
Department/School
History and Philosophy
Abstract
Frederick Douglass, Slavery, and the Constitution, 1845 asks students to confront an explosive question: How, in a nation founded on ideas of equal rights and freedom, could the institution of slavery become so entrenched and long-lasting? How was slavery justified, and how was it criticized? At a literary forum, students consider the newly-published Narrative of Frederick Douglass and hold a hearing on John C. Calhoun's view of slavery as a 'positive good.' Finally, players address the US Constitution, its original protections of the slaveholders' power, and the central question: Are Americans more beholden to the Constitution, or to some 'higher law'? Reacting to the Past is an award-winning series of immersive role-playing games that actively engage students in their own learning. Students assume the roles of historical characters to practice critical thinking, primary source analysis, and both written and spoken argument.
Link to WorldCat Entry
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Full text is not available directly through DigitalCommons@EMU.
Recommended Citation
Higbee, M., & Stewart, J. B. (2019). Frederick Douglass, slavery, and the Constitution, 1845. W.W. Norton.
Comments
M. Higbee is a faculty member in EMU's Department of History and Philosophy.
This book was featured at EMU's 2020 Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity Showcase.