Margaret Douglass Argumentative Essay

The nineteen-century was an era of inequality against both women, and African-Americans. Slavery was still occurring in the South in this era, and there were many who believed that providing an education to an African-American was an egregious act that had to be punished by imprisonment (Douglass,pg.36). Women were also treated as lesser then their Caucasian counterparts, and in many cases were seen as part of their husband and not as individuals (Hagler, pg.406). The mid to late 1800’s was a time of change, many in the north were already against slavery, but the mind of many in the south still had not change, but the actions of people, such as Margaret Douglass was the catalyst that was needed in order to break the boundary’s, and allow change to come. Through examining Margaret Douglass trial and D. Harland Hagler article, “The Ideal Woman in the Antebellum South: Lady or Farm Wife?”, it becomes apparent how women were seen as an extension of their husband, and not as individuals who deserved the same respect and equality.

Margaret Douglass actions in the 1850’s had a tremendous impact on America in general even if her actions alone did not accomplish …show more content…
The actions of people, such as Mrs. Douglass allowed for change to occur, and allowed for people to change their perspective of how they saw others. All this came to be not because of one factor, but do to many, such as women gaining more rights, African-American gaining some of their freedom in the north, and people like Mrs. Douglass who fought the norms of the time in the South. The 1800’s was the era that created the opening to change society, and the years that followed were the progression that was required in order to improve America. Change does not come quick, and although one person can create the opening for change to occur it requires the masses in order to bring real change and equality under the law and