As a child, Frederick Douglass was relocated from a plantation on the eastern shore of Maryland to Baltimore. There he learned how to read and write—first from the wife of his master and then from poor, local immigrant children. The two books he read were the Bible and The Columbian Orator. This clip explores Douglass’ determination and resourcefulness in his early years to gain literacy skills, and how this new knowledge opened his eyes to a life beyond slavery.

Explore this documentary film clip and engage students in historical thinking using the Library of Congress Primary Source Analysis Tool. In this inquiry-based resource for Becoming Frederick Douglass, students view a video clip describing Frederick Douglass' childhood in Baltimore, Maryland, analyze primary source maps and images, and consider discussion prompts for more dialogue and deeper reflection.