In New Bedford, Frederick Douglass was exposed to the abolitionist movement through the Black community there and The Liberator, a newspaper edited by William Lloyd Garrison. Douglass won renown as an effective orator, which led many white Americans to accuse him of never having been a slave. This clip explores the influence of his relationship with William Lloyd Garrison, and the impact of Douglass publishing his first autobiography.

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 clip examining the impact of Garrison and his abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, on Frederick Douglass. Students analyze abolitionist and pro-slavery primary sources and consider discussion prompts for more dialogue and deeper reflection.