Fredrick Douglas was born on a plantation as Fredrick Bailey and never truly knew his mother. At a very young age Fredrick was separated from his mother and forced to do slave work against his will. His mother would occasionally sneak in and visit him. He only met his mother about 4 to 5 times during his whole lifetime.

Fredrick was always interested in education and learning new things. When he lived on the plantation the slave owners wife, Mrs. Auld taught him how to read, write, and do other things other slaves didn't have the opportunity to do. This went on until her husband, Mr. Auld found out and ended it saying that slaves should never learn anything, that it could motivate and teach them how to escape.

During this time slaves were treated very poorly. Slaves were beaten or some times even killed. When slaves did something wrong they were often whipped. Most were covered in scars and died at young ages. When slave masters killed their slaves there was no punishment.

When Fredrick lived on the plantation he was beaten daily. After days and days he was tired of this behavior and fought back against his owner. When he fought against this man he did win and realized what could happen if he was caught.

After the fight with his slave owner Fredrick decided he had to escape. This decision was very risky but he took his chance. When he decided to escape he changed his name Fredrick Douglas and faked his identity so he could not be tracked and caught by the identity of Fredrick Bailey. This led him to freedom.

Fredrick Douglas effected many other slaves lives during this time and many African Americans that were treated poorly after this time too. Douglas helped slaves escape and gain freedom by sneaking them out and leading them to a safe place where they would then be free. This impact changed many peoples lives after.