Read this excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

In the afternoon of that day, we reached Annapolis, the capital of the State. We stopped but a few moments, so that I had no time to go on shore. It was the first large town that I had ever seen, and though it would look small compared with some of our New England factory villages, I thought it a wonderful place for its size – more imposing even than the Great House Farm!

Which of these is a true statement about travel during Douglass’s youth?

Enslaved persons had few opportunities to travel and few experiences beyond their plantations.
Enslaved persons often traveled to New England factories seeking a better way of life.
Enslaved persons were encouraged to visit their state capitals when traveling between plantations.
Enslaved persons were welcomed warmly, in many harbor towns, when they travelled by boat.

1 answer

The true statement about travel during Douglass’s youth is:

Enslaved persons had few opportunities to travel and few experiences beyond their plantations.

This reflects the limited mobility and restricted experiences that enslaved individuals faced during that time.