By 1750, most slaves in America were not African born but America born. Several slaves worked in sugar, cotton and tobacco plantation. Very few of these slaves were African born, because the reduction in the importation of slaves from Africa.
Majority of these slaves were born in America, but they were descendants of Africans who were imported in America (Ira 112-115). During this time, there were three slavery systems.
Slavery in South Carolina and Georgia low country was very harsh than the one in the Northern colonies. Most Slaves were imported from Africa to work on sugar, cotton and rice plantations. The slaves were forced to work in very harsh conditions including working in very hot marshy areas. they were affected by tropical diseases such as malaria which led to the death of several slaves.
The number of enslaved population imported from Africa reduced in Chesapeake area, and in the Carolina Georgia low country. By 1750, the Chesapeake had the largest number of slaves in the mainland British America, but the majority of these slaves were American born or the Creoles.
Slaves in Chesapeake enjoyed good working conditions with less exposure to subtropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever (Edmund 111-112). Most of these Slaves were given permission by their slaveholders to have to choose their sex partners and subsequently give birth to children.
Consequently the bearing of children naturally increased the number of slaves in this region leading to a reduction in number of slaves imported from Africa. Children worked with their parents in large plantations and lived with them in the slave cabins. This led to Creole slaves dominating this area (Allan 145-148). As the number of slaves imported from Africa reduced, the slave culture became more American. This led to the formation of African-American communities in America.
The whites less controlled these slaves. They were more exposed to the culture of the whites than those slaves from other regions. The American born slaves introduced Christianity on their traditional ceremonies such as emotional singing, and on death rituals (Edmund 111-112).
The slaves combined their musical instruments with American musical instruments to develop songs that expressed had African rhythm All these led to the development of Africa-American communities in America. The slaves who were born in America developed African American culture out of slavery. The development of afro-American culture had a significant effect on the establishment of African American communities (Ira 112-115).
The new African-American culture influenced children of the white who were put under the care of black servants on the plantations. Many of the African practices, values, and beliefs were blended with white culture. African American traditions were evident in American literature and religion and in other fields. The African American culture developed to become a significant part of American culture.
African American culture led to a transformative impact on the American culture, which developed, into African-American communities (Allan 145-148). The culture of African slaves who were born in America has greatly influenced the American culture. The African-American communities were developed out of the American born slaves in America.
Works Cited
Edmund, Morgan. American Slavery, American Freedom: The Ordeal of Colonial Virginia. New York: Wiley, 1975. Print.
Ira, Berlin. The First Two Centuries of Slavery in North America, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1998. Print.
Slavery is among the oldest institutions that spread rapidly throughout the world. It existed in the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Middle East, and vast parts of Asia for a long time. It took its roots before the emergence of any religion in the world. The principles that governed it were so peculiar. In most occasions, slaves worked tirelessly in order to meet their needs and the needs of the lords at very low pay.
The main victims of slave trade were the black people. The blacks were not only massively enslaved, but also sold into bondage across the continents. A lot of religious people also played a significant role in advancing slavery; Christians and Muslims also took part in enslaving others.
This paper aims at providing detailed information on how slavery was abolished. This paper will expound on the diverse methods employed in eradicating slavery in many parts of the world.
Abolishment of slavery is one of the greatest achievements that took place in the world. It took approximately two centuries for it to be eradicated since it involved overcoming opposition and cunning inversions from diverse parties. The signs of abolishment of slavery started being visible in the early 18th century when evangelical Christians made up of mostly Britons held an anti-slavery political crusade (Sowell, 210).
The crusade managed to mobilize most Britons into exerting pressure on the British government. British governments found themselves forced to push the anti-slavery effort further and further towards its logical conclusion , (Sowell, 210).
To meet the demands of their citizens, the British government was forced, not only to do away with the international slave trade, but also to abolish the practice of slavery throughout the British Empire. Additionally, the British governments were forced to take part in bribing and coercing other nations into stopping slavery.
The abolishment of slavery in Britain empires and the involvement of the British in preaching against slavery contributed immensely towards the end of slavery in the United States and France. It also led to the French government to take part in intercepting ships involved in slave trade via the effort of its navies.
The effort employed by the British government also led to the spread of Western civilization to many nations including despotic governments such as Russia.
The Quakers also played a significant role towards ending slavery in the world. They were the ones who laid an example that was followed by the worldwide political revolution. Worldwide political revolution, headed by William Wilberforce, was made up of the evangelical leaders from Church of England, involved itself greatly in preaching against slavery.
Its effort led to Henry Thornton, a renowned banker, to start up an anti-slavery crusade. Additionally, the effort put by Wilberforce, Thornton and their allies played a significant role towards ending slavery. They spent over 20 years pressing for the abolishment of slavery via drafting slavery abolishing bills.
Protests also played a significant role towards ending slavery. For instance, the memorandum penned by black Americans in early 1688 led to the reduction of the number of Negro slaves in the United States (Doren, 276). According to the Negros, only fervent protests could stop Europeans from inhumanly handling the blacks. The perception of the Negros about slavery also played a significant role towards Newtons confession.
It led to him denouncing slavery and note that it was a crime that needed eradication. Additionally, the diminishing acts of the Europeans led to many slaves opposing them. In most occasions, they charged slaves with blasphemy while in the midst of cruel punishments that resulted from their enslaved status (Schwartz, 430)
Emergence of international antislavery opinions also played a significant role towards ending slavery. According to Bender (19), international antislavery opinions led to the evolution of mans moral perception (Bender, 19). It made slaves not only to understand themselves, but also their roles in the society.
It also made men under slavery to realize that no man was born to be a slave. Additionally, the experiences gathered by men with lordship and bondage contributed to their quest for their rights.
Publication devices such as books and pamphlets and presentations such as poems, sermons and plays played a significant role towards eradicating slavery. They achieved this by not only airing out the problems of slavery in Western Culture, but also creating public awareness (Bender, 25). Additionally, they aided people from different areas to share ideas pertaining to slavery.
In her article, Dorchen Leidholdt expounds on how children and women were and still are exploited sexually. According to her, any sort of dominance contributed immensely towards advancement of slavery. For instance, she argues that men dominance over women, adults over children, and first world over third world countries contributes immensely towards the occurrence of oppression among the disadvantaged in the society.
According to her, it is also evident that most slavers were motivated by a desire for sexual gratification, economic gain, or power and domination, or a combination of these factors (Leidholdt, 2). However, formation of a coalition among continents such as Africa, Australia, and Asia played and a significant role towards eradicating slavery.
In most occasions, the Coalition worked against all slavery-like practices such as sexual violence, sex trafficking, and exploitation (Schwartz, 1). Its work played a significant role in abolishing slavery practices in different nations.
Poverty and acceptance of prostitution as a viable practice in the society have also been associated with women and children involvement in sexual practices. They lead not only to many women and children being exploited by their employees, but also advancing sex tourism in most countries (Leidholdt, 7).
According to Leidholdt (3), the Coalition urges the Working Group to continue addressing slavery and slavery-like practices that affect primarily women and children in order solve slavery problems.
In conclusion, slavery is one of the oldest institutions in the world that existed almost everywhere. Most of its victims were the blacks; majority of the Europeans overworked the blacks in order to increase their revenue. Unfortunately, most religions also took part in enslaving the blacks in the past.
It took about two centuries for slavery to be abolished fully. Among the things that led to the eradication of slavery include abolishment of slavery practice in British governments and involvement of British in coaxing other nations to stop slavery. The formation of anti-slavery political crusade in the 18th century by the evangelical Christians also contributed immensely towards the abolishment of slavery.
Wilberforce, Thornton and their allies also played a momentous role towards its abolishment. However, it is evident that slavery-like practices still exist in most societies. Poverty, as well as acceptance of prostitution as a societal element plays a significant role in advancing sexual slavery.
Works Cited
Bender, Thomas. The Antislavery Debate. Capitalism and Abolitionism as a Problem in Historical Interpretation. New York: Cornell University. 1992. Print.
Doren, V. Charles. A History of Knowledge. New York: Ballantine Books. 1992. Print.
Leidholdt, Dorchen. Prostitution A Modern Form of Slavery. New York. Web.
Schwartz, B. Stuart. Black Latin America: Legacies of Slavery, Race, and African Culture. New York: Duke University Press. 2002. Print.
Sowell, Thomas. Race and Culture. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. 1994. Print.
Slavery is among the oldest institutions that spread rapidly throughout the world. It existed in the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Middle East, and vast parts of Asia for a long time. It took its roots before the emergence of any religion in the world. The principles that governed it were so peculiar. In most occasions, slaves worked tirelessly in order to meet their needs and the needs of the lords at very low pay.
The main victims of slave trade were the black people. The blacks were not only massively enslaved, but also sold into bondage across the continents. A lot of religious people also played a significant role in advancing slavery; Christians and Muslims also took part in enslaving others.
This paper aims at providing detailed information on how slavery was abolished. This paper will expound on the diverse methods employed in eradicating slavery in many parts of the world.
Abolishment of slavery is one of the greatest achievements that took place in the world. It took approximately two centuries for it to be eradicated since it involved overcoming opposition and cunning inversions from diverse parties. The signs of abolishment of slavery started being visible in the early 18th century when evangelical Christians made up of mostly Britons held an anti-slavery political crusade (Sowell, 210).
The crusade managed to mobilize most Britons into exerting pressure on the British government. British governments found themselves forced to push the anti-slavery effort further and further towards its logical conclusion , (Sowell, 210).
To meet the demands of their citizens, the British government was forced, not only to do away with the international slave trade, but also to abolish the practice of slavery throughout the British Empire. Additionally, the British governments were forced to take part in bribing and coercing other nations into stopping slavery.
The abolishment of slavery in Britain empires and the involvement of the British in preaching against slavery contributed immensely towards the end of slavery in the United States and France. It also led to the French government to take part in intercepting ships involved in slave trade via the effort of its navies.
The effort employed by the British government also led to the spread of Western civilization to many nations including despotic governments such as Russia.
The Quakers also played a significant role towards ending slavery in the world. They were the ones who laid an example that was followed by the worldwide political revolution. Worldwide political revolution, headed by William Wilberforce, was made up of the evangelical leaders from Church of England, involved itself greatly in preaching against slavery.
Its effort led to Henry Thornton, a renowned banker, to start up an anti-slavery crusade. Additionally, the effort put by Wilberforce, Thornton and their allies played a significant role towards ending slavery. They spent over 20 years pressing for the abolishment of slavery via drafting slavery abolishing bills.
Protests also played a significant role towards ending slavery. For instance, the memorandum penned by black Americans in early 1688 led to the reduction of the number of Negro slaves in the United States (Doren, 276). According to the Negros, only fervent protests could stop Europeans from inhumanly handling the blacks. The perception of the Negros about slavery also played a significant role towards Newtons confession.
It led to him denouncing slavery and note that it was a crime that needed eradication. Additionally, the diminishing acts of the Europeans led to many slaves opposing them. In most occasions, they charged slaves with blasphemy while in the midst of cruel punishments that resulted from their enslaved status (Schwartz, 430)
Emergence of international antislavery opinions also played a significant role towards ending slavery. According to Bender (19), international antislavery opinions led to the evolution of mans moral perception (Bender, 19). It made slaves not only to understand themselves, but also their roles in the society.
It also made men under slavery to realize that no man was born to be a slave. Additionally, the experiences gathered by men with lordship and bondage contributed to their quest for their rights.
Publication devices such as books and pamphlets and presentations such as poems, sermons and plays played a significant role towards eradicating slavery. They achieved this by not only airing out the problems of slavery in Western Culture, but also creating public awareness (Bender, 25). Additionally, they aided people from different areas to share ideas pertaining to slavery.
In her article, Dorchen Leidholdt expounds on how children and women were and still are exploited sexually. According to her, any sort of dominance contributed immensely towards advancement of slavery. For instance, she argues that men dominance over women, adults over children, and first world over third world countries contributes immensely towards the occurrence of oppression among the disadvantaged in the society.
According to her, it is also evident that most slavers were motivated by a desire for sexual gratification, economic gain, or power and domination, or a combination of these factors (Leidholdt, 2). However, formation of a coalition among continents such as Africa, Australia, and Asia played and a significant role towards eradicating slavery.
In most occasions, the Coalition worked against all slavery-like practices such as sexual violence, sex trafficking, and exploitation (Schwartz, 1). Its work played a significant role in abolishing slavery practices in different nations.
Poverty and acceptance of prostitution as a viable practice in the society have also been associated with women and children involvement in sexual practices. They lead not only to many women and children being exploited by their employees, but also advancing sex tourism in most countries (Leidholdt, 7).
According to Leidholdt (3), the Coalition urges the Working Group to continue addressing slavery and slavery-like practices that affect primarily women and children in order solve slavery problems.
In conclusion, slavery is one of the oldest institutions in the world that existed almost everywhere. Most of its victims were the blacks; majority of the Europeans overworked the blacks in order to increase their revenue. Unfortunately, most religions also took part in enslaving the blacks in the past.
It took about two centuries for slavery to be abolished fully. Among the things that led to the eradication of slavery include abolishment of slavery practice in British governments and involvement of British in coaxing other nations to stop slavery. The formation of anti-slavery political crusade in the 18th century by the evangelical Christians also contributed immensely towards the abolishment of slavery.
Wilberforce, Thornton and their allies also played a momentous role towards its abolishment. However, it is evident that slavery-like practices still exist in most societies. Poverty, as well as acceptance of prostitution as a societal element plays a significant role in advancing sexual slavery.
Works Cited
Bender, Thomas. The Antislavery Debate. Capitalism and Abolitionism as a Problem in Historical Interpretation. New York: Cornell University. 1992. Print.
Doren, V. Charles. A History of Knowledge. New York: Ballantine Books. 1992. Print.
Leidholdt, Dorchen. Prostitution A Modern Form of Slavery. New York. Web.
Schwartz, B. Stuart. Black Latin America: Legacies of Slavery, Race, and African Culture. New York: Duke University Press. 2002. Print.
Sowell, Thomas. Race and Culture. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. 1994. Print.
Throughout its conscious existence, humanity has sought to expand its borders, explore new places, and conquer distant horizons. Great Britain is a great maritime state, and it has significantly succeeded as a pioneer. British colonies were established in many places around the world, thousands of miles away from British shores. They also appeared in North America when a new Stuart dynasty came to power in Great Britain. Unfortunately, the concept of slavery and the slave trade is inextricably linked with the process of colonization.
The history of the colonial rule of Great Britain begins in 1607 when the Puritans part of the first colonists were fleeing from persecution. Protestants also left France and Holland for the New World, hoping to find a safe place to live and preach their views. Peasants, poor people seeking a better life, and criminals fit for hard work also left for the New World. In 1607, the first permanent English settlement was founded on the territory of future Virginia. The first few years were extremely difficult for the colonists, and many died of hunger. However, in 1612, it was possible to grow Virginia tobacco, which improved the situation for the better.
The settlement in the city of New Plymouth was founded by the second, and it laid the foundation for the colonies of New England. The colonists society consisted of various groups of the population: ordinary farmers, entrepreneurs, hired workers, landowners, and slaves. There was a desperate shortage of labor, so it was imported to North America. Slavery in North America began in 1619 when the first cargo of slaves arrived in Jamestown on a Dutch ship. However, initially, there were few slaves in North America, and their status was not fully defined.
Before the appearance of black slaves, there were white slaves obligated servants. Traveling across the ocean was difficult, so many slaves died from hunger, disease, or shipwrecks. When the ships arrived on the American mainland, there might not be any buyers in the harbor, so white slaves, chained to each other, went to villages and cities searching for buyers. Moreover, the situation of white slaves was often no better than that of black ones. The owner possessed them temporarily and therefore was utterly uninterested in preserving their lives when the contract expired. People were subjected to the most severe punishments for trying to escape, up to the death penalty. Thus, the skin color did not particularly affect the position of a person if he was a slave.
Initially, slaves received freedom as a reward for good work, exemplary behavior, and conversion to Christianity. However, in the southern colonies, significant local land ownership was formed, which focused on producing raw materials and food, so the situation of the blacks changed considerably. Turning them into hereditary slaves began, which was also dictated by an acute shortage of labor. For the most part, slaves were used on large tobacco and rice plantations, where their work was more productive. Each colony had its legislation concerning slaves, which established specific rules for them. Thus, the slave finally turned into a talking tool and the property of their master, gradually losing the few rights and freedoms that he had.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that there was also certain freedom against the background of slavery. Great Britain has always tried to establish complete economic control over the colonies in North America. Great Britain bought all the industrial goods produced in the settlements to achieve this, and in return, the colonies received raw materials and agricultural goods. It becomes clear that Great Britain was not interested in the fact that the English colonies traded with anyone other than the mother country. Great Britain did not want the industry to develop in the English colonies. Nevertheless, despite the efforts of Great Britain, the English colonies achieved great success in the industry, especially in shipbuilding.
Despite the strict religious discipline, New England became the cradle of the developing self-consciousness of Americans, an original cultural and political tradition. The first printing houses were created, so it was in New England that the ideas of the American Enlightenment were born. Moreover, in New England, the absence of feudal nobility and large land ownership opened the way to free enterprise early. The political life of these colonies developed its tradition of self-government, which Great Britain could not freely control.
Thus, despite slave labor, there were also phenomena in the society of the British colonies that ensured peoples independence from the mother country. The weakening of the social foundations of the colonial regime was also facilitated by the periodic uprisings of certain groups of the population. Merchants, farmers, small merchants in provincial towns, white and black slaves often spoke out against both direct oppressors and the tightening of the fiscal policy of Great Britain. Thus, the short-sighted policy of oppression pursued by England was fraught with aggravation of social conflicts. Leaving the custody of the metropolis was presented to the local American elite as a condition for social stability, neutralization of mass discontent.
The Industrial Revolution was a shift from manual to large-scale machine factory production that transformed the world economy. This process began in England in the late 18th century and spread to other European countries, the United States and Japan (More, 2000). Various concepts such as industrialization, capitalism, and slavery are interconnected with the Industrial Revolution. While this period enabled people to manufacture goods and improve the living standards of some groups, it also resulted in appalling working conditions and violence for others. The purpose of this paper is to describe the Industrial Revolution and the new forms of economic activity it created, including mass production and mass consumption, as well as discuss its connection to slavery.
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution can be seen as an important turning point in history as it had a remarkable impact on most aspects of peoples everyday life. The process began in Great Britain in the late 1700s and gradually brought the economy of the US and many European countries to a new level. The introduction of machines and mass production resulting from industrialization caused more individuals to move from rural areas to cities, which shifted the focus from agriculture as the main economic driver. Instead, industries such as manufacturing, building, and mining were becoming more widespread. Besides, according to More (2000), the revolution lay not in the speed, but in the shift from a hitherto inevitable correlation between increasing population and declining income per person (p. 15). As More (2000) reports, in turn, an increase of around 25% in income per person was seen across the economy between 1780 and 1831, in the period of the Industrial Revolution (p. 16). Due to invention and innovation, society from predominantly rural turned into urban.
The New Forms of Economic Activity
Mass Production
Mass production is producing large volumes of standardized products in a constantly flowing manner. Through the course of the Industrial Revolution, the way goods were produced changed. For example, such techniques were used as production lines and standardized sizes. Furthermore, the division of labor principle was introduced, implying that each worker had expertise in performing a specific task. A set of such tasks involving several workers allowed for producing a final product at a reduced cost.
In addition, mass production was possible thanks to the increasing use of machines in factories. This approach allowed for reducing human labor and eliminated errors of low-skilled workers, increasing the overall turnover (More, 2000). Besides, as More (2000) states, the production increases for industries such as cotton and iron & are far higher than for other industries: output rose by one hundredfold or more (p. 16). Coal, as well as water and steam power, were used to provide energy for factories and transportation systems. Besides, the Industrial Revolution meant that materials, people, and goods had to be transported, and this was done through canals and railroads. Overall, mass production contributed to rapid economic and social changes, as well as urbanization.
Mass Consumption
Mass consumption is another phenomenon related to the epoch of the Industrial Revolution. It accompanied mass production and can be defined as the process of buying standardized services and goods by a large number of customers (More, 2000). Before the Industrial Revolution began, people mostly produced things at home or in small workshops. In turn, factories enabled society to manufacture more products in a cheaper and faster way. As a result, new markets were opening in new cities, increasing the level of consumption. In addition, many peoples income was growing, which improved their buying power. This fact led to more goods being consumed by the population. According to More (2000), in the case of other services, such as retailing, higher incomes will lead to greater expenditure on them (p. 16). Rapid urbanization and industrialization also contributed to the growth of service output. In general, mass consumption depended on peoples prosperity, and the availability of large volumes of products produces through the use of factories and machinery.
Connection to Slavery
It should be stated that the Industrial Revolution had negative consequences along with positive achievements for society. In particular, slavery thrived thanks to mass consumption and production, creating free labor. According to Walvin (1996), by the mid-eighteenth century, when the European appetite for African slaves seemed insatiable, Africa seemed the natural place to recruit labor for the Americas (p. 9). In other words, the slave trade and plantation slavery were among the causes for the development of capitalism in the US and Europe. Sea-port towns were rising as a result of the transatlantic trade of enslaved laborers (Walvin, 1996). As can be seen, the achievements of the Industrial Revolution are connected to slavery and partly result from this unethical and inhumane practice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Industrial Revolution can be seen as a rapid transition from an agricultural to an industrial economy. Various concepts are associated with this process, including capitalism, urbanization, mass production, mass consumption, and slavery. While the Industrial Revolution had positive effects, such as a faster and cheaper production of goods and improved living standards, it also meant such disadvantages as poor working conditions, child labor, low wages, and violence.
References
More, C. (2000). Understanding the Industrial Revolution. Routledge.
Walvin, J. (1996). Questioning Slavery. Routledge.
Primary sources are critically important in studying history, specifically those periods that the living people cannot remember. These sources can include various artifacts, documents, recordings, diary entries, and manuscripts created at the time period under investigation. Different primary sources allow the following generations to understand what happened before better. This essay will discuss excerpts from primary source writings on slavery in Ancient Greece dated back to approximately 750 330 BCE. The passages will be examined and evaluated better understand the social and cultural history of the period and learn more about the social order in Ancient Greece.
Ancient Greece was a civilization where slavery was widespread, with Greeks viewing slaves as the property of their masters. Internet History Sourcebooks Project (2021) offers five excerpts from the works of prominent Greek thinkers on slavery and its place in Greek society. Specifically, the writings of Hesiod, Strabo, Antiphon, Demosthenes, and Aristotle are presented (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). For instance, Hesiods Works and Days, written in 750 BCE, depicts the necessity of slaves for labor, particularly farm labor (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). It can be argued that the source is aimed at the lower-class citizens, who would not be able to survive without reaping a plentiful harvest. It is evident from the writing that both men and women could be purchased as slaves to work on the land of the slave owner. In addition, the excerpt suggests that a female slave should not be viewed as a wife, possibly restricting sexual relationships between slaves and free men (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). Overall, in Ancient Greece, slaves were necessary for the survival of landowners.
Other primary sources reflect different aspects of slavery in Ancient Greece. Thus, Strabos Geographia, written in approximately 20 A.D., illustrates how the wealth of the city was measured in slaves (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). Written later than other primary sources, Geographia was intended as a descriptive history. Strabo notes that the temple of Aphrodite in Corinth was exceptionally wealthy and could afford to own over a thousand slaves employed as prostitutes at the temple (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). They were donated to the temple by the citys free people and became an attraction, resulting in the city being crowded with people and accumulating wealth (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). It can be concluded that slaves played a crucial role in the economic development in Ancient Greece.
Some writings on slavery in Ancient Greece describe how their owners and free people could treat slaves. These documents were aimed at a broad audience of the people of Ancient Greece, as the majority of them interacted with slaves daily. Thus, in On the Choreutes, dated back to 430 BCE, Antiphon discusses the limitations imposed on masters, noting that killing a slave was an inappropriate act (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). However, it is unclear what punishment was installed upon the master who killed a slave belonging to him. Antiphon notes that a slave owner should purify himself and withhold himself from those places prescribed by law (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). In contrast, in Against Timocrates (350 BCE), Demosthenes notes that corporal punishment is an acceptable penalty for slaves compared to free people (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). Thus, slaves belonged wholly to their master, who could treat them at their discretion, physically punishing them for minor misdeeds. However, such acts as the murder of a slave were not viewed in the same light, with slave masters only being subjected to light penance for the killing.
It can be asserted that the issue of slavery was not viewed in Ancient Greece as a moral problem. For instance, Aristotle writes in The Politics On slavery, dated back to approximately 350 BCE, that slavery is necessary for the existence and development of Greek society (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). Slavery was viewed as a natural occurrence, with few limitations imposed on slave owners. Slaves were considered inferior to free men, and Aristotle argued that it is better for them as for all inferiors that they should be under the rule of a master (Internet History Sourcebooks Project, 2021). It can be alleged that Aristotle intended his talk for all the citizens of Ancient Greece who questioned the right of Greeks to capture slaves and treat them inhumanely. Overall, this piece of writing shows that slavery in Ancient Greece was viewed as natural and was defended by the many prominent Greek thinkers.
In summary, the discussed primary sources demonstrate the collective attitude in Ancient Greece towards slavery and the position of slaves in society. Slaves played a crucial role in the economy of Ancient Greece, working in different capacities, varying from farm laborers to prostitutes. Their work often was the catalyst for the development of cities, as the example of Corinth illustrates. Slaves were the property of their masters, who had absolute authority over them and their lives. Overall, the examined sources show that slavery was not considered an immoral issue in Ancient Greece, and the rights of slaves were not contemplated. Moreover, the right to own a slave was viewed as a superior virtue.
Reference
Internet History Sourcebooks Project. (2021). Documents on Greek Slavery, c. 750 330 BCE. Web.
The political history of America can never be complete without mentioning Abraham Lincoln.And, with this history comes the role that he played in the abolishment of slavery in America (Meirs, 1991)1. Though he didnt do it immediately he assumed office, Lincoln eventually helped bring constitutional changes that saw the end of slavery. There was some reluctance to abolish slavery when he assumed office, as read from his first inaugural speech.
In this speech, Lincoln emphasized the need for the law governing slavery to prevail and pointed out the importance of the independence of individual states in administering laws that governed slavery without the interference of the central government. He observed that much apprehension had invaded the south since the republican administration had assumed power with him as the president.
1st inaugural speech
It was important for the south to note that his ascendance to power would not change the way the laws were observed, he added. He informed the nation that his government was ready to protect its people through the constitution. This discussion will be elaborated more by his 1st inaugural speech. Gerald (2008)2 notes:
Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that by the accession of a Republican Administration, their property, and their peace, and personal security, are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the amplest evidence to the contrary has all the while existed and been open to their inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you.
I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I do not incline to do so. Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them. And more than this, they placed in the platform, for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves, and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read: ( Roy, 1935)3
Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depend; and we denounce the lawless invasion by an armed force of the soil of any State or Territory, no matter what pretext, as among the gravest of crimes. (March 4, 1861)4
Although the president insisted on the application of the rule of law in the running of the nation, he also accepted that there were vacuums in the law that were in use. In his speech, he did not clearly indicate the exact solutions that will be used to address the vacuums. On these deficiencies, Lincoln said: (Roy, 1935)5
No foresight can anticipate, nor does any document of reasonable length contain express provisions for all possible questions. Shall fugitives from labor be surrendered by national or by State authority? The Constitution does not expressly say. Might assembly ban slavery in the territories? The Constitution does not expressly say. Must Congress protect slavery in the territories? The Constitution does not expressly say. (March 4, 1861)6
That he did not admonish slavery then, is evident in his declaration he made over what becomes of a slave who took refuge in running to states that did not practice slavery will exempt him or her from servanthood. He made it clear that the countrys constitution provided for a continuation of slavery by a fugitive even in states that did not accommodate slavery. The services of the slave cum fugitive will be made available to individuals entitled and in need of the services. This he said in the first inaugural speech and Meirs (1991)7 notes:
There is much controversy about the delivering up of fugitives from service or labor. The clause I now read is as plainly written in the Constitution as any other of its provisions:
No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. (March 4, 1861)8
The proclamation
After settling in the office as president, Lincoln began putting in place pieces of legislation that had an overall effect of reducing slavery. The giant leaps that he made concerning slavery reduction came in the form of two executive orders popularly known as the emancipation proclamation. During the American civil war, the first executive order that he gave came on the 22nd of September 1862. This order provided freedom to all the slaves in any state of the Confederate States of America. These were states that did not return to Union control by January 1, 1863. The second order was issued the same day as the first one.
Using his authority as the commander in chief of the Army and Navy Lincoln named ten states where the first order will apply. As expected, the proclamation was criticized by a section of the populace. It was condemned for giving freedom only to the slaves who were not under the power of the union. However, the proclamation gave freedom to thousands of slaves the very day that it was announced, although several others didnt taste freedom until later. Of the ten states that the proclamation covered, it is only Texas that responded to demands immediately ( Barry, 2009)9.
The proclamation afforded freedom to more than four million slaves through a legal framework as the Union armies advanced. This had the effect of committing the union to end slavery, which was a contentious issue even in the North. One clear thing was that the proclamation did not include the border states of Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, or Delaware. These states had not declared secession, and hence no slaves were freed there.
During this period, the state of Tennessee had already mostly returned to the control of the Union, therefore it was also not named and was exempted. Additionally, Virginia was featured, but exemptions were spelled out for the 48 countries that were in the process of building West Virginia, along with seven other named counties and two cities. Furthermore, on the exemption list was New Orleans and thirteen named parishes of Louisiana. All these cities had mostly been under the control of the Federal government at the time of the first Proclamation (Roy, 1935)10.
Aside from Tennessee, other states in the Union-occupied areas of CSA states celebrated instant freedom immediately after the Proclamation and at least 20,000 slaves were freed at once on January 1, 1863. When the Proclamation was introduced, additional slaves immediately ran to Union lines as the Army units moved south. As the Union armies overcame the Confederacy, thousands of slaves were released each day until nearly all (close to 4 million, using the 1860 census were freed by July 1865 (Ibid)11.
At the end of the war, abolitionists were concerned that because the Proclamation was a measure of war, it had not completely finished slavery. Many of the former slave states had already put in place legislation abolishing slavery; however, some slavery went on to be legal, and to exist, until the institution was closed by the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1865.
Second inaugural speech
In the year 1865 Lincoln assumed the presidency for the second term and before occupying office he was sworn in; fulfilling the constitutional requirements. On the fourth day of March, he was sworn in, and in his second inaugural speech, Lincoln reminiscences the events that led to the civil war that befell the nation in the period following his first swearing-in ceremony. He explains how the warmongers were all over the whole country advocating for war before he could even finish his first inaugural speech. Further, he pinpoints the basis upon which the war was started ( Roy,1935)12.
Closer scrutiny reveals that the war was basically a fight that was caused by the conflicts that had arisen from the existence of colored slaves. In this speech, the president seems unhappy about slavery and he advances his disappointment by invoking Gods name. He lays his doubts open over the possibility of God according to assistance to whoever lives off the sweat of others. These sentiments are a clear indication that Lincoln had grown into an individual who disapproved of the essence of slavery. In Lincolns second inaugural speech his disapproval is observed through the words of Barry, (2009) who notes13:
One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it.
Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any man should dare to ask a just Gods assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other mens faces, but let us judge not that we are not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully.
The Almighty has his own purposes. Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must need be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must need come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? (March 4, 1865)14
Three days after Lincolns assassination, he made a public appearance within the Whitehouse in which he gave a speech that speeded up his death. His speech came only two days after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lees army. His speech concentrated majorly on reconstruction; with a great emphasis being placed on Louisiana. It was in this particular speech that the president openly supported the rights of the blacks to vote.
This sentence about black suffrage was the death of him. Unknown to the president was the presence of John Wilkes Booth, a white supremacist and Confederate activist, who vowed to kill the president after the comments made by the president, angered him (Roy, 1935)15. This he did after three days. But of interest to us are the comments that the president made concerning slavery in this particular speech. By supporting the participation of the colored in politics, the president had realized that blacks were equal to whites and none was a slave of the other. And, this is part of what he said in his last public address as Jason, (2009)16 notes:
A number of voters in the now to then slave town of Louisiana have sworn allegiance to the Union, assumed to be the rightful political power of the State, held elections, organized a State government, adopted a free-state constitution, giving the benefit of public schools equally to black and white, and empowering the Legislature to confer the elective franchise upon the colored man. Their parliament has by now been nominated to approve the legitimate amendment recently passed by Congress, abolishing slavery throughout the nation.
These twelve thousand persons are thus fully committed to the Union, and perpetual freedom in the statecommitted to the very things, and nearly all the things the nation wantsand they ask the nations recognition and its assistance to make good their committal. Now, if we reject, and spurn them, we do our utmost to disorganize and disperse them (Jason, 2009)17.
The passion which Abraham Lincoln had in fighting slavery may be best demonstrated by the quotations that are found in the collected works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler. Below are three of them that demonstrate clearly as Barry (2009)18 notes:
My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, and I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause. (August 22, 1862)19, p. 388
Barry, (2009)20 also notes: Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it (April 6, 1859), p. 376.
Jason, (2009)21 notes: As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this to the extent of the difference, is no democracy. (August1, 1858), p. 532.
Jason, ( 2009)22 notes: Labor is before, and independent of, the capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital and deserves much higher consideration. (December 3, 1861)23
In the United States, slavery was an institution that was well recognized. Lincoln had initially recognized slavery as a bad institution which he did not support and instead looked for all means to empower and bring to end slavery. As the political situations in the country changed, he also changed his stand about slavery. This was to a greater extent influenced by his wish to create a nation that was united. This indeed had repercussions for he had to struggle in creating a balance between the whites and the blacks.
From the above discussion and the accompanying quotation, it is evident that Abraham Lincoln was a president who took the leadership of America with among other objectives, to end slavery. Although he didnt bring the reforms from the beginning of his first term, he eventually brought comprehensive reforms that safeguarded the rights of the minority. At the start of his first term, Lincoln concentrated so much on strictly following the laws that advocated for slavery. But, eventually, he structured reforms that went a long way in bringing equity to the masses. It is very clear that Lincolns death was caused by his stand on equal rights for both the whites and the coloreds. His death is caused by an assassin who was angered by his support for the minority.
Bibliography
Basler, Roy P. The Lincoln Legend. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1935.
Emerson, Jason. Lincoln the Inventor. Southern Illinois University Press, 2009.
Meirs, Earl S. Lincoln Day by Day. Dayton: Morningside House, 1991. Guelzo, Allen. Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America. Simon & Schuster, 2008.
Prokopowicz, Gerald J. Did Lincoln Own Slaves? And Other Frequently Asked Questions about Abraham Lincoln. Pantheon, 2008.
Schwartz, Barry. Abraham Lincoln and the Post-Heroic Era. University of Chicago Press, 2009.
Slavery was characterized by poverty and forced labor. Slaves never had freedom and rarely enjoyed material comfort beyond the bare basic needs. Their lives were characterized by diseases, suffering, and poor diet. They were subjected to hard labor with beatings that reflected the authority of their masters.
Their housing were majorly crowded with poor sanitation. The routines of work consisted of long working hours. They experienced both physical and mental torture since their masters employed force and violence to obtain what they required from them. The nature of slavery worsened because they received poor treatment that lead to high death rates.
The major cause of the changes in slavery was the hatred towards oppression (Goldfield, et. al, 39).The changes occurred in the attitudes of the slaves towards the white in the South. There was a general feeling of antagonism and resistance. They saw their master as people who used them as beasts of burden; hence, suspicion and resentment among the slaves grew into hatred.
The culture of the slaves greatly influenced their lives of being defiant. They were also influenced by the African culture that they maintained. They believed in the spirits, and made their accomplishments in music and dance. They believed in religion and their families served as a source of support. However, their families were disintegrated by the sale of their members.
The slaves tried to defy the slavery system and used religion as a tool to support the revolt. Faith sustained them and enhanced a sense of racial identity. The resistance to slavery was through fearless revolts. The consequences of rebellion were important to the slaves in various ways. Most of them got an opportunity to become literate by knowing how to read and write (Goldfield, et. al, 54).
The geography of the South greatly influenced the revolts; however, the militias were prepared to suppress the revolt. This experience changed the slaves actions. The freed slaves worked as manual laborers and changed various working sites. Furthermore, the rebellion also included theft and runaways. Due to the increase in political conflict between the North and the South, fears increased over the slave rebellion which led to increased restrictions on the slaves.
Fugitive slaves were captured, aided by the Law that also required that those who never owned slaves to support the slavery system. The manufacturers in the South felt the impact of using the slaves. Slave ownership was translated into political power and it was a basis of wealth and free standing. It guaranteed wealth due to the production of cotton in large scale. Hence, it was held as an investment and a commodity since slaves were highly valued ((Goldfield, et. al, 57).
In conclusion, the slave system was embedded into the economic development of the South. However, the conflict in slave ownership led to antislavery movements. The end of the row between the slave owners and non-slave owners narrowed down slavery. This aggravated the risks in entering into the cotton business since the cost of the slaves increased.
The slave system was finally abolished due to the thought that the system weakened the economy of many whites and the South. Slavery in the South declined due to immigration that provided cheap labor. There were more revolts against oppression that led to abolitionists, expansion westwards that made slave codes harsher.
Works Cited
Goldfield, Davis, et. al. The American Journey: The History of the United States. Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001.
The view of American slavery and discrimination against black people has been widely discussed in various works of literature. In literature, the plight of American slaves is described through analysis and portrayal of their miserable life, disruption of family and brutality (Gates 153).
Also, most literary works attempt to describe the existence of a strong desire for freedom among almost all black slaves and their fate as they struggle to escape from slavery.
Secondly, some literary works have attempted to describe slavery from the point of slave hunting in Africa.
Most authors blame African kings and chieftains for capturing and selling their fellow African tribes to slavery, the whites who deal with slaves and the white settlers who purchase slaves in America and West Indies (Gates 153).
Perhaps, one of the best narratives describing the plight of the captured African people and their journey through slavery is Equianos The interesting narrative of Olaudah Equiano.
Olaudah Equiano provides an in-depth analysis of his real journey from Africa through slavery and his work after acquiring freedom. The role played by various slave dealers and owners is brought into the limelight in this narrative.
An analysis of the narrative builds a negative perception of slavery in the United States because slavery is displayed as a true violation of human rights through disruption of family life and human relations, kidnappings and a wide range of inhuman actions against the black people.
The impact of Olaudah Equianos narrative on the perception of American slavery
Written as his autobiography, Equianos narrative describes his journey from a humble and normal life in West Africa to slavery in America and finally a free life in London.
The narrative, written by Olaudah Equiano in 1789, provides an analysis of the fate of Africans who are kidnapped from their homes in Africa to slavery in America and Europe.
The story begins with a description of early Igbo country, where Equiano was born. Being an Igbo, Equiano begins the story by describing the Ibo culture, customs associated with food, religion, and clothing.
He also describes the beautiful and productive nature of Igbo land, where he likens the Igbo people of West Africa with Jews (Shields 1).
From this introduction, a new perception of slavery is developed; the author attempts to describe how Africans were targeted in slavery simply because Europeans considered them as being inferior, less civilized and barbaric.
This notion may explain why Africans were treated like animals rather than humans (Bugg 572). Europeans thought that they had the right to force Africans out of their homes into slavery.
From this narrative, it is clear that Europeans are not the only group of people that perpetrated atrocities in Africa, but rather African leaders, out of their greed for wealth and power, were involved in capturing and selling their fellow Africans into slavery (Shields 1).
The new perception of slavery is that it was an evil act deeply rooted in Africa and perpetrated by European traders in collaboration with African merchants and chieftains.
For example, village traders, in the story, village traders are busy kidnapping children for sale. In chapter two, African slave dealers kidnap small children from their homes to sell them to African slave dealers, kings, and wealthy Africans.
Here, the reader is introduced to Equianos capture, alongside his younger sister, from their home in Eboe (Bugg 572). After their capture, the author and his sister are made for walking for a long distance before they are separated and sold to different traders (Equiano 61).
Also, the narrative creates a new perception of slavery, where it shows how slavery in America has instilled the spirit of kidnapping children for resale in West African traders. For instance, once he is kidnapped, the author is exchanged as a trade item from one trader to another.
He also has a brief tenure as a slave to a certain chieftain in a beautiful African country. Also, a rich widow in Timnah briefly enslaves him (Equiano 51). Finally, the author is sold to traders who bring him through different African regions to the West African Coast (Equiano 69).
Here, he is sold to a certain owner of a large slave ship headed for West Indies across the Atlantic. The desperations and difficulties faced by the author and his fellow slaves across the ocean are documented in the story.
On arrival to West Indies, the author witnesses the brutality at the slave market, but he is lucky to be taken aboard a Dutch ship heading to North America (Costanzo 64).
Here, a new perception of slavery is developed. The author attempts to show how African slaves had to be lined up in the slave market for the highest bidder.
Being muscular, young and energetic was an important feature that each buyer was looking for (Costanzo 128). It is clear that to the white buyers, African slaves were mere animals.
However, it is clear that some salves were being sold to Europe, though in few numbers. For instance, some European traders bought slaves for their friends and relatives back in Europe as a present or as domestic workers.
The perception created by the author is that slavery in America was meant to increase production in farms, while in Europe, it was taken as a small form of normal exchange of gifts (Bugg 574).
Moreover, the narrative by Equiano tends to create a perception that American slavery was deeply rooted in the beliefs held by Europeans that they had the right to purchase or sell a black slave at will.
This perception may have led to the belief in later years that the whites had the right to own black people as their slaves and determine how and where they live and what they do (Gates 159). For instance, they had the right to sell and buy slaves like animals.
Slaves were being sold for commercial purpose or as pets. For example, on arrival in the American Coast, the author is sold to a plantation owner in Virginia, where his tenure involves light field jobs and household chores.
After some few months, Equiano is again sold to Michael Henry Pascal, a member of the British royal navy and captain of a trade ship. He is bought as a present to the captains friends in England (Equiano 94).
At the time of the journey from Virginia to England, the author was around 11 years old. That was in 1757. The captain renames him Equiano Gustavus Vassa. A white American boy named Robert Baker is present in the ship, and the two boys become friends (Shields 1).
On arrival in England, the author is introduced to Christianity. He attends church services and receives some bible lessons from Robert Baker (Equiano 105).
However, he has to return to the sea with Pascal. In the seas, he experiences successive sea battles between Pascals Ship and pirates as well as other merchants. By now, the author has become acquainted with the Europeans and their culture (Equiano 111).
Each time he accompanies Pascal to England, he has to visit schools in London, where he finally develops an urge to read and write. Again, he is sold to Doran, another ship owner, who takes him to West Indies and sells him to Robert King, a Quaker in Philadelphia (Shields 1).
Here, he works in various positions such as loading and offloading boats, clerk and personal secretary. Also, the author renders his services to various captains in the sea, who find him a knowledgeable navigator (Equiano 231).
During these voyages, the author decides to do a side business- he starts buying items in each voyage and sells them in America and Europe (Gates 156). However, it is difficult to sell his items to the whites because they abuse and discriminate him.
Others even failed to pay him, while some even assaulted him. This section of the story creates an additional perception of slavery in the USA by describing the problems facing Africans, even those who had bought their freedom (Shields 1).
It is clear that a free black person has to endure more problems than those in slavery because every white person in the street has the right to mistreat and discriminate an African (Shields 1).
By failing to pay for the items taken from such a small boy, the whites indicate that slavery was not just meant to improve economical gains, but also because the whites perpetrated it as they did not consider Africans as equal beings.
This perception indicates that the white people were not willing to give any form of freedom to the African slaves. Even if some Africans bought their freedom, they were supposed to remain inferior to the whites (Shields 1).
Despite this, he can accumulate enough money to buy his freedom before moving to London for education. As a free person, several captains hire him as a navigator or steward. In this position, the author visits several nations in the world. Also, he commits his life to Christianity.
After several voyages, he accepts an offer to work as a church leader in a Jamaican plantation, but tires off and returns to England.
Here, he works for Governor McNamara and is involved in a plan to relocate freed slaves to Sierra Leone. In 1791, he married Susanna Cullen in Wales. In the final chapter, the author appeals to the reader to contribute to the abolition of the slave trade and slavery.
From this analysis, it is clear that the author has made several impacts on the American view of slavery.
For instance, slavery cannot be fully considered as an atrocity created and perpetrated by the Europeans alone; rather it was a form of collaboration between African leaders and white traders. Both groups were driven by greed for wealth and power.
While Europeans were driven by the greed to gain money from agricultural production in the West Indies, African chieftains and kings were driven by the greed to sell their fellow Africans to gain wealth and political power.
Secondly, it is clear that slaves had a dire need for freedom and would do anything to buy their freedom. As portrayed by the author, he had to tolerate discrimination and abuse when selling fruits and other items in Virginia and Philadelphia.
His aim was just to obtain enough money to buy his freedom. Also, he was ready to convert into a new religion to give him hope for the best in his future.
This narrative builds a negative perception of slavery in the United States because it is slavery portrayed as a true violation of human rights by disrupting families, relationships, kidnapping children and carrying out atrocities against the Africans.
Works Cited
Bugg, J. Deciphering the Equiano Archives . Modern Language Association of America 122.2 (2007): 572-573. Print.
Costanzo, A. Equiano, Olaudah. The Oxford Companion to African American Literature. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print.
Equiano, O. The interesting narrative of Olaudah Equiano. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 1789. Print.
Gates, Henery L. The Signifying Monkey. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print.
Shields, E. Thomson, Equiano, Olaudah, American National Biography Online, 2008. Web.
African American slaves were one of the main subjects of historical debate in the United States, underpinned by the efforts of northern policymakers to prohibit it. Their initiatives, including the claim for immediate emancipation, alongside the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) and the Dred Scott Decision (1857), resulted in a global change. Therefore, the adopted measures not only affected the discussion of the challenge but also strengthened the positions of the Republican Party.
The Abolitionist Campaign for Immediate Emancipation
The Abolitionist campaign for immediate emancipation was supported by the church since slavery was widely reproached by religion. The suggested implementation of drastic measures in this respect revolutionized the populations perceptions by providing evidence of the fact that the problem is multi-faceted. In other words, the original ideas incorporated the considerations of sexual immorality due to the abuse of the affected persons and the practice of breeding people for sale.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) and the Dred Scott Decision (1857)
The contributions to the discussion were also made by legal regulations of the problem. Thus, the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854), implying the need for voting for or against slavery in these territories, and the Dred Scott Decision (1857), prohibiting becoming free citizens by moving to other states, were critical. They led to the rapid rise of the Republican Party because a compromise on the issues could not be reached, and these leaders managed to blame southerners for violence based on their opposing solutions. Therefore, Lincolns election further isolated the deep south by turning the discussed actions into legislation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the intention to prohibit slavery in the United States was claimed by both religious institutions and northern politicians. Their consequent successes, leading to dramatic consequences for the south, were determined by the provision of substantial evidence of injustice. In addition, the Republican leaders managed to gain more influence than their southern counterparts through the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the legal actions presented by his administration.