How did Frederick Douglass learn the word abolitionist? Explain the significance of both this word and the process he used to learn it

Frederick Douglass learned the word "abolitionist" and its significance through persistent self-education and keen observation. Douglass was born into slavery, and learning to read and write was not only discouraged but actively prevented among enslaved individuals during his time. Despite this, Douglass understood that literacy was a path to freedom, both intellectually and physically.

The process through which he learned the word "abolitionist" involved several key experiences. As a young boy, Douglass was sent to Baltimore to live with Hugh Auld and his family. Sophia Auld, Hugh's wife, initially began teaching Frederick the alphabet and basic reading skills, but once Hugh learned of this, he forbade it, declaring education incompatible with slavery. This incident made a profound impression on Douglass—he realized that literacy was a key to empowerment and freedom.

Despite the ban, Douglass continued to learn covertly, using various methods to further his reading and writing skills. He made friends with poor white children in Baltimore and learned from them in exchange for food, he carefully observed the writings of the men he worked with, and he used the Bible and newspapers whenever he could access them to practice reading and writing.

Douglass eventually came across the term "abolitionist" when he was working in a shipyard as a caulker. Here, he was in contact with men who were discussing politics and social issues of the day, including the burgeoning abolitionist movement, which was gaining momentum in the northern states. Douglass's keen intellect and unwavering desire for freedom led him to inquire about and listen to discussions that mentioned "abolition" and "abolitionists." Once he understood that an abolitionist was someone who advocated for the abolishment of slavery, he began to see a new pathway to his own freedom and to the broader freedom of all enslaved people.