Question

After escaping to New York in 1838, why did Douglass continue to feel insecure and adopted the motto "Trust no man.?"

A) He had a history of being betrayed by people he trusted in his earlier attempts to escape slavery.
B) He believed that even in the North, he could encounter individuals who might betray him to his former slave owner.
C) The Underground Railroad network was not foolproof, and he had heard of cases where escaped slaves were captured and returned to bondage.
D) He was skeptical of the intentions of some abolitionists and wanted to protect himself from potential harm.

Answer 1

Frederick Douglass felt insecure in New York because he feared betrayal by individuals who could return him to his former owner and due to his past experiences of being let down. He also knew the Underground Railroad had its dangers and was at risk after publishing his autobiography.

Step-by-step explanation:

After escaping to New York in 1838, Frederick Douglass adopted the motto "Trust no man!" as he continued to feel insecure. This feeling stemmed from several reasons, mainly: A) his history of being betrayed in earlier escape attempts, B) the fear of encountering individuals in the North who might betray him to his former slave owner, and C) the knowledge that the Underground Railroad network had its risks, which included stories he had heard of escaped slaves being captured and returned to bondage. Furthermore, Douglass's subsequent actions, such as his narrative about his life as a slave published in 1845, exposed him to additional danger, compelling him to flee the United States to avoid potential murder.

Douglass's life reflected the immense challenges faced by escaped slaves. Despite reaching a free state, he was haunted by the possibility of recapture and ensconced in a sense of isolation. His experiences reveal how the oppressive institution of slavery cast long shadows, even far from its direct reach, affecting the psychological state of those who managed to escape.