Afro-American History to 1877
“The Radical and the Republican: Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the Triumph of Antislavery Politics” is a well written book by James Oakes. James Oakes in his book suggests that both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas fought slavery and stood up for the causes of slaves but they had different ways of fighting against slavery. The author presents thorough details of their working and ideas in his book. Oakes recognizes both of these leaders as reformers but portrays both of these leaders in different perspectives. This paper intends to discuss contributions of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas and how their ways were different in perspective of the findings of author James Oakes in his book.
James Oakes is a history professor and is known for his views on slavery. Oakes presents his views that are realistic and based on public speeches, various editorials, news items and various works of Lincoln and Douglas. Oakes emphasizes on views, actions and roles of both these leaders. Oakes describes how realistic politics and abolitionist idealism made an alliance in the era of civil war. The author describes that both leaders had a good understanding of issues. Both of them were aware of causes of slavery and they had their views on how to eradicate slavery.
Oakes’ success in writing this book lies in the fact that he presents an internal analysis of both Lincoln and Douglas and their political thoughts. Oakes suggests that Douglas avoided violence in the beginning of his political career but subsequently he endorsed extremist John Brown. On the other hand, Lincoln’s views were more radicalized especially after Kansas- Nebraska Act. Oakes suggests that people who portray Douglas as a pessimist person are not aware of real fact.
Frederick Douglas supported Abraham Lincoln on some issues while most of the times, they did not agree on various issues. The author makes several claims and describes how both of these leaders used to share their mutual relation. Oakes suggests in his book that radical Douglas and republican Lincoln had not any differences on issues like slavery but a question that was asked by both these leaders is, “why should anyone else have to settle for something less than equal rights?.
Lincoln was a politician who was bound to take care of public feelings but on the other hand, Douglas was a dedicated reformist who was not ready to compromise with his ideas and his position on issues. Douglas always used to criticize Lincoln policies of Abraham Lincoln on war and slavery but both of them had a common goal and that was to remove slavery. Due to this common goal, Douglas changed his attitude towards Lincoln in subsequent years. Oakes presents a detailed analysis of their views on certain issues and also describes how both of them contradicted yet understood each other.
Oakes describes both these leaders in his book in these words, “As a politician Lincoln liked to position himself as the conservative, moved by forces greater than any one man. As a reformer Douglass preferred to position himself on America's left flank; he would hold fast to the moral high ground no matter how great the forces arrayed against him” Oakes further adds, “Beneath all of Douglass's seeming dogmatism rested a perfectly reasonable question: Why should he or anyone else have to settle for something less than equal rights? That was Lincoln's question too, and if it made Douglass's radicalism more reasonable, it made Lincoln's pragmatism more radical. They were never as far apart as they seemed”.
Douglas had some misapprehensions about Lincoln’s political ideas. He was unable to understand his views on various issues including slavery. Douglas used to believe in radical ways of implementing his ideas however Lincoln was a republican politician who believed in presenting concrete solution of issues. One of reasons why Douglas was skeptical about Lincoln was his believe that Lincoln was under influence of white people but gradually he came to realize that Lincoln was bound by constitution and his decisions were affected by political necessities, as well as by the rule of law. Douglas gradually developed an understanding of Lincoln’s ideas on political issues.
Frederick Douglas realized subsequently that president cannot do whatever he wants and he has to take care of a number of things in order to make his functioning smoother. Irrespective of being a passionate critic of Lincoln on various issues including war, colonization and even slavery, Douglas realized that Lincoln is working for long-term gains. The author in his book gives credit to Douglas for various positive steps taken by Lincoln. He suggests that Lincoln worked under pressure of Frederick Douglas on various issues because he feared of his sharp criticism.
The book presents sweet and bitter relationship between Lincoln and Douglas. The author suggests that Douglas himself was changed substantially and his extremist views became logical subsequently. But, earlier to that Douglas took Lincoln head on at various occasions. He defended a radical and extremist John Brown who was always criticized by Lincoln. The author describes how Lincoln called Douglas at his residence and publicly addressed Douglas as “my friend Douglas”. Lincoln also sought opinion of Frederick Douglas on how to address people effectively.
Once Lincoln died, Frederick Douglas addressed a number of rallies and he appreciated Lincoln. Douglas used to praise Lincoln and his contributions in the emancipation of slavery on various occasions. He addressed public in July 1876 and presented a sparkling summation of Lincoln’s contributions and his relations with people of United States of America whether they are black or white. Douglas remembered Abraham Lincoln as a visionary leader who had something for every American.
There were several differences and understandings between these two leaders on various issues including slavery. The author describes what the reasons of these differences were and suggests that irrespective of their differences their goal was the welfare of African Americans. Both of them wanted to eradicate slavery and for this purpose they had their ideas. These ideas were sometimes similar but at various occasions they were absolutely contradictory. Both of these leaders were mass leaders and none of them was against the wider interests of the American society.
The focus of this book is to describe how Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery within his constitutional limits but Douglas had difference of opinion on the issue. Lincoln was a politician and also was holding the greatest post of the United States of America, however Douglas was a political activist who was free from all responsibilities. He was free to express whatever he wanted. There was the issue of radical and republican between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. Both of these leaders were willing to help American common people especially blacks but their ways were quite different.
Lincoln was a clever man and he used various tactics to implement his political ideas. Since he represented capitalists from northern region, he had to show that he is the best man who can procure their interests and at the same time, he had to look after implementing his ideas on eradicating slavery. Lincoln worked in a silent manner and succeeded in his mission. Lincoln did not free slaves by himself but played the most significant role in freeing slaves and capitalists could not even imagine how they have been fooled by a man who appears to be politically straight. No need to mention that Lincoln was the best man with his shrewd tactics who freed slaves without much ado.
Frederick Douglas was an equally influential leader but he remained a political activist due to a number of factors. Douglas raised issues of slaves but since he was very active with his radical thoughts on the issue of slaves, he was always in the focus. Capitalist and white people made his image as a radical and his credibility was reduced. Though his pressure tactics influenced Lincoln substantially and he worked seriously in order to free slaves. Oakes critically analyses both the leaders and their views in his book. The book is very helpful for readers who are studying or interested in knowing slavery, discrimination and struggle of African Americans in the American society.
James Oakes reveals crucial information about Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. Apart from political views of both these leaders, Oakes also presents their views on society, international relations and various other issues. The author has a good understanding of political issues and presents his views in a pragmatic manner. Though James Oakes has tried his best to pen down the contributions of Lincoln and Douglas along with their mutual relations, there are certain minor errors in the book. These are some factual mistakes by the author. In one instance, Oakes suggests that Lincoln Douglas debate took place in Chicago. Oakes also suggests some disputable things about Lincoln’s intention on issues like emancipation of slavery and his ideas about the union.
Having observed an overview and succinct analysis of the abovementioned subject, the paper concludes that James Oakes has presented a brilliant book, The Radical and the Republican: Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the Triumph of Antislavery Politics’. In this book, Oakes presents a realistic portrayal of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas relations, their agreements and contradictions on certain issues. The author portrays how both these leaders were different yet similar on various issues. Bothe of them wanted to solve issues of slavery but they had different views on this issue. The book is very important for students and people who are interested in knowing the history of United States of America. The author addresses various issues in his book in a realistic manner.
Work Cited
Oakes, James. The Radical and the Republican: Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the Triumph of Antislavery Politics. USA: W. W. Norton & Company, 2008.
