The Pros And Cons Of Slavery

1191 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Abolitionist movement of slavery in america pre 1830

Slavery, a very sensitive subject to many and the root of many problems still plaguing this country today. Before officially coming to an end, there was a great political controversy regarding whether or not it should remain or be abolished. During this time reforms took place and in turn different movements were created in order to eliminate slavery in the southern states. Abolitionist were stepping forward arguing against the immorality and inhumanity of it. On the other hand, supporters of proslavery argued to keep it, by making every effort to justify it legally by downplaying the slave’s mental capacity and inferiority in society
First let’s take a look at those favoring slavery. These advocates tried their best to make what they believed to be justifiable arguments, making slavery a necessary and positive thing. One of the advocates and author of …show more content…

Cartwright, authored “Diseases and Peculiarities of the Negro Race.” He actually diagnoses both slaves wanting to run away as well as freed Negros with psychological diseases. Drapetomania, which since has been debunked and now seen as a scientific racial term, caused slaves to act out. Dyaesthsia Aethiopica, another made up mental disease, affect the minds and sensibility of free Negroes, caused laziness, especially affecting those being taken care of by whites. He continues his argument by saying “they are apt to do much mischief, which appears as if intentional, but is mostly owing to the stupidness of the mind and sensibility induced by the disease,” (Cartwright, et al 1851). According to him slaves should be kept subservient and submissive to the master or they will be affected by disease. In order to do so the owners should keep them spellbound by ministry, physical wants, and protecting them from abuse. He blames slave owners that treat slaves as equals or those that do not protect them from abuse cause them to dissatisfied without a cause therefore, they should be

Show More
Related

  • Paul Finkelman Defending Slavery Summary

    1545 Words  | 4 Pages

    Paul Finkelman takes on the role of devil’s advocate in his book “Defending Slavery”. Within the first section of the book, Finkelman explains the background of slavery both in America and around the world, past, post-American Revolution, and around the world. He then goes on to explain the revelations which prompted the South to develop a course of action to defend slavery. In detail and chronological order, he describes the various means of defense used by those in favor of slavery in America. Their justifications for slavery and resistance against its abolishment were rooted in religion, politics, economics and other aspects that drive society.

    Read More

  • Did the North Win the Civil War before it Began?

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...t and see it as a way to get rid of the moral burden of slavery.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Frederick Douglass And David Walker

    1402 Words  | 3 Pages

    Despite each individual having different circumstances in which they experienced regarding the institution of slavery, both were inspired to take part in the abolitionist movement due to the injustices they witnessed. The result is two very compelling and diverse works that attack the institution of slavery and argue against the reasons the pro-slavery individuals use to justify the slavery

    Read More

  • Cartwright's One-Sided Thoughts On Slavery

    1217 Words  | 3 Pages

    One way that Cartwright did not understand the effects of slavery was that his only concerns over slavery revolved around the ill effects that slavery had on the whites. It did not seem as if he was really concerned about how slaves were being treated by their slave masters, though he did see slavery as a moral evil. To Cartwright, slavery was a moral evil because he believed that it made whites slave holders lazy. He felt that since slave holders had their slaves doing all of the housework, then they believed having to do so themselves would be like lowering their status. In other words the rich slave holders had lost the value of work to the point that if they had to do so themselves would be like lowing themselves to the same level as slaves.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast The Point Of View Of Slavery

    1385 Words  | 3 Pages

    From 1750 until 1800 the colonial United States endured a period of enormous achievement along with a substantial amount of struggle. Before 1750, the new colony’s first struggle was between the colonists and England over who would have leadership within the New World. Once settled, the issues emerged from within the colonies themselves, particularly with the “belongings” they brought and imported. African American slaves were seen as property, and were not given any innate rights such as liberty or freedom when following their master to the New World. The revolution for the colonists from England began, with new freedoms received by the colonists; the slaves began to question their rights as humans. Innate rights such as liberty and freedom

    Read More

  • Slavery in America between 1800 and 1860

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    Between 1800 and 1860 slavery in the American South had become a ‘peculiar institution’ during these times. Although it may have seemed that the worst was over when it came to slavery, it had just begun. The time gap within 1800 and 1860 had slavery at an all time high from what it looks like. As soon as the cotton production had become a long staple trade source it gave more reason for slavery to exist. Varieties of slavery were instituted as well, especially once international slave trading was banned in America after 1808, they had to think of a way to keep it going – which they did. Nonetheless, slavery in the American South had never declined; it may have just come to a halt for a long while, but during this time between 1800 and 1860, it shows it could have been at an all time high.

    Read More

  • Differences Between the North and South that Led to the Civil War

    1460 Words  | 3 Pages

    After the American Revolution, slavery began to decrease in the North, just as it was becoming more popular in the South. By the turn of the century, seven of the most Northern states had abolished slavery. During this time, a surge of democratic reform swept the North to the West, and there were demands for political equality, economic and social advances for all Americans. Northerners said that slavery revoked the human right of being a free person and when new territories became available i...

    Read More

  • Southern Pro-Slavery Rhetoric

    1613 Words  | 4 Pages

    Some supporters of slavery believed that the Bible clearly condoned the practice of slavery. Still, others argue that southern slaves were provided with lifelong homes and better living conditions than they would have experienced living in Africa. By 1860, almost all southerners thought slavery should continue. The Southern philosophers were, in some measure, great theorists. Their ability to defend the institution of slavery as a good for society can be considered through three justifications: socio-political, economic/socio-economic, and religious.

    Read More

  • What did freedom mean to harriet jacobs

    1325 Words  | 3 Pages

    To understand the desperation of wanting to obtain freedom at any cost, it is necessary to take a look into what the conditions and lives were like of slaves. It is no secret that African-American slaves received cruel and inhumane treatment. Although she wrote of the horrific afflictions experienced by slaves, Linda Brent said, “No pen can give adequate description of the all-pervading corruption produced by slavery." The life of a slave was never a satisfactory one, but it all depended on the plantation that one lived on and the mast...

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Reparation Of Slavery

    1153 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reparations Although the talk of reparations of slavery has been in discussion for over a hundred years, it is beginning to heat up again. Within these discussions, the issue of the form of reparations has been evaluated and money has been an option several times. However, reparations in the form of money should not be obtained for several reasons. Firstly, it is not a solution to the problem, secondly monetary reparations have the ability to worsen discrimination, thirdly, who gets paid, and how is it regulated, and lastly, the money can be misused.

    Read More

  • Slavery as the Cause of the American Civil War

    1746 Words  | 4 Pages

    Slavery was the core of the North and South’s conflict. Slavery has existed in the New World since the seventeenth century prior to it being exclusive to race. During those times there were few social and political concerns about slavery. Initially, slaves were considered indentured servants who will eventually be set free after paying their debt(s) to the owner. In some cases, the owners were African with white servants. However, over time the slavery became exclusive to Africans and was no limited to a specific timeframe, but life. In addition, the treatment of slaves worsens from the Atlantic Slave trade to th...

    Read More

  • the development of slavery in America

    1202 Words  | 3 Pages

    Slavery was the main resource used in the Chesapeake tobacco plantations. The conditions in the Chesapeake region were difficult, which lead to malnutrition, disease, and even death. Slaves were a cheap and an abundant resource, which could be easily replaced at any time. The Chesapeake region’s tobacco industries grew and flourished on the intolerable and inhumane acts of slavery.

    Read More

  • The Relationship Between Slavery and Freedom

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    For Edmund S. Morgan American slavery and American freedom go together hand in hand. Morgan argues that many historians seem to ignore writing about the early development of American freedom simply because it was shaped by the rise of slavery. It seems ironic that while one group of people is trying to break the mold and become liberated, that same group is making others confined and shattering their respectability. The aspects of liberty, race, and slavery are closely intertwined in the essay, 'Slavery and Freedom: The American Paradox.'

    Read More

  • Slavery and Abolition

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    The term slave is defined as a person held in servitude as the chattel of another, or one that is completely passive to a dominating influence. The most well known cases of slavery occurred during the settling of the United States of America. From 1619 until July 1st 1928 slavery was allowed within our country. Slavery abolitionists attempted to end slavery, which at some point; they were successful at doing so. This paper will take the reader a lot of different directions, it will look at slavery in a legal aspect along the lines of the constitution and the thirteenth amendment, and it will also discuss how abolitionists tried to end slavery. This paper will also discuss how slaves were being taken away from their families and how their lives were affected after.

    Read More

  • Modern Day Slavery Essay

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    Slavery has been a part of human practices for centuries and dates back to the world’s ancient civilizations. In order for us to recognize modern day slavery we must take a look and understand slavery in the American south before the 1860’s, also known as antebellum slavery. Bouvier’s Law Dictionary defines a slave as, “a man who is by law deprived of his liberty for life, and becomes the property of another” (B.J.R, pg. 479). In the period of antebellum slavery, African Americans were enslaved on small farms, large plantations, in cities and towns, homes, out on fields, industries and transportation. By law, slaves were the perso...

    Read More

More about The Pros And Cons Of Slavery

Open Document