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Using these 2 documents answer these question
How and why did black people use the language of the American Revolution—of natural rights—in freedom petitions to argue for their freedom and the abolition of slavery?
Primary Source Documents
Your essay should be based on your reading and analysis of the primary source documents. Your paper should be 2 to 3 pages in length and use double-spacing and 12 point font. Please use MLA style.
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To approach your essay, you can follow these key steps, using the documents and analyzing them in light of the questions. The goal is to understand how Black people used the language of natural rights—derived from the American Revolution—to argue for freedom and the abolition of slavery.

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Step 1: Introduction

Begin by providing an overview of the American Revolution and the language of natural rights, particularly the principles of liberty and equality that were emphasized during the Revolution. Discuss how these ideas about freedom and rights were used in petitions by Black individuals advocating for their own freedom.

For example, you might start by saying:

• The American Revolution, with its rhetoric of natural rights and the pursuit of liberty, profoundly influenced various groups in society. Among those who leveraged this language were Black people seeking freedom and the abolition of slavery, using the very same ideals that inspired the Revolution to argue for their rights as human beings.

In the introduction, also briefly mention the two documents you are analyzing (without summarizing them yet).

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Step 2: Analyze the Documents

Now, you can analyze the documents to show how Black people used the language of natural rights in their freedom petitions. Here are some points to consider:

1. Reference to Natural Rights:
   • Black petitioners likely referenced ideas of unalienable rights (as stated in the Declaration of Independence) such as the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
   • These petitions used language similar to what was used by the Founding Fathers, emphasizing their natural rights to be free from bondage.

   In your paper, you could highlight specific phrases from the petitions where Black people used terms like “freedom,” “liberty,” or “natural rights.”

2. Linking Their Struggle to the American Revolution:
   • Discuss how petitioners aligned their desire for freedom with the language and values of the Revolution.
   • Black petitioners, recognizing the hypocrisy of the Revolution’s ideals in relation to slavery, questioned why the nation that fought for its own freedom would continue to enslave people.

   You can analyze specific excerpts from the petitions where petitioners directly address the contradiction between American claims of liberty and the existence of slavery.

3. Use of Religious and Moral Rhetoric:
   • Black petitioners often appealed to religious principles, pointing to Christian teachings that emphasize equality before God.
   • This rhetoric added moral weight to their arguments, framing slavery as a violation not only of natural rights but also of divine law.

   Cite instances where petitioners used religious or moral language to reinforce their appeal for freedom.

4. Consciousness of Public Sentiment:
   • Explore how the petitions reflected an understanding of the prevailing public sentiment. Petitioners were well aware that American society was undergoing a transformation in its view of freedom, and they used these changing attitudes to support their cause.
   • The petitioners’ call for abolition was often framed within the context of the Revolution’s stated goals, such as the fight for justice, equality, and freedom.

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Step 3: Synthesize the Information

After discussing the individual elements of the petitions, tie them together to answer the essay’s central question: How and why did Black people use the language of the American Revolution to argue for their freedom and the abolition of slavery?

You might argue that:

• Black petitioners used the language of the Revolution because it resonated with the principles of freedom and equality, which they too deserved to enjoy.
• The hypocrisy of slavery in a nation built on natural rights motivated Black people to demand their freedom using the same language that had justified the Revolution.
• These petitions were not only legal appeals but also moral and philosophical arguments that sought to expose the contradiction between American ideals and the practice of slavery.

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Step 4: Conclusion

Summarize the importance of using the language of the Revolution in these freedom petitions. You might say:

• By using the language of natural rights and the ideals of the American Revolution, Black petitioners effectively demonstrated the hypocrisy of a nation that preached liberty but allowed slavery to persist. Their petitions were not only a fight for personal freedom but also a challenge to the nation’s founding principles, calling for a true realization of liberty and equality for all people.

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MLA Format:

• Be sure to format your paper with 12-point font and double-spacing as required.
• Use MLA style for citations. If you are using direct quotes from the documents, make sure to properly cite them in-text and include a Works Cited page at the end.

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Final Tips:

• Directly quote from the primary sources when necessary, but also paraphrase ideas to show your understanding.
• Stay focused on answering the essay prompt by constantly linking your analysis to how and why the language of natural rights was used by Black people in their petitions.

By following these steps, you should be able to effectively answer the question and provide a well-rounded essay.

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