HIST4207 Slavery in America - Abolishment

Write an essay detailing how slavery divided this country along sectional lines from 1800-1860. Why was chattel slavery so important to the Southern economy? How did Southern leaders justify this “peculiar institution”? Who opposed slavery in the North and why? How did westward expansion in the United States increase these sectional tensions? How did Congress and the presidents at this time dealing with the issue of slavery? Was war inevitable in this country between the North and the South? Why or why not? Make sure that your essay includes at least THREE key events that inflamed tensions over the expansion of slavery. Finally, include at least FOUR primary source readings to enhance your essay. Failure to use primary sources will result in a failing grade.

 

Answer:

Slavery introduction in America in 1619 led to a huge division of the United States from 1800 to 1860. The embracement of slavery in the south created a division boarder line with the North part who viewed the action as evil. The chattel slavery led to tremendous growth of economy in the southern part of the United States.The slaveslabored in the tobacco and cotton plantations. Due to the increased demand of these products, huge productions were madeby the slaves under the directions from their owners.The southern leaders justified the chattel slavery by claims that abolishment of this peculiar institution will have a negative impact on their economy. They further claimed that they used to take good care of the slaves even better than other employees from America. However, the northern people did not see the slavery to be economically important to them. Consequently, they opposed itand.Anti-slavery advocates, religious leaders for exampleBartolome de las Casas and politician from the north formed an abolitionist movement that at a high magnitude opposed this act.  They based their opposition on the fact that slavery was inhuman, sin and that led to inequality of power in America. According to John Smith in the general histories of Virginia,In the 18^th century, approximately seven million slaves had been imported to America. This created a population pressure that led to Westward expansion. The buying of land for settler and others being forced to live in reserves increased the sectional tensions. Murder, robbery and destruction of properties were challenges that settlers for example the Indians faced in the new acquired lands (Bacon 56). The development of anti-slavery movement, the Kansa- Nebraska act and the fugitive slave law that was enforced to catch runaway slaves from the southern part inflamed tension in the country.  These regional conflicts finally led to the civil war. However, the war was in evitable since the Kansa-Nebraska act and the fugitive slave law promoted slavery and the main cure was to abolish slavery. This war led to deaths that provoked the leaders to intervene.  However,in 1862, the congress passed the Compensated Emancipation act that was signed by president Abraham Lincoln to stop slavery in America. 

Reference

Bacon, Nathaniel. "Manifesto Concerning the Present Troubles in Virginia." Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 1 (1894): 55-58.

de Las Casas, Bartolomé. In defense of the Indians: the defense of the Most Reverend Lord, Don Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, of the Order of Preachers, late Bishop of Chiapa, against the persecutors and slanderers of the peoples of the New World discovered across the seas. Northern Illinois University Press, 1992.

Smith, John. The generallhistorie of Virginia, New England & the Summer Isles: together with The true travels, adventures and observations, and A sea grammar. Vol. 1. J. MacLehose     and sons, 1907.