Running head: PRO-SLAVERY AND ANTI-SLAVERY 1

American History: Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery

Students Name

Affiliated Institution
PRO-SLAVERY AND ANTI-SLAVERY 2

American History: Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery

Introduction
Slavery remains a fundamental politics as well as beliefs in the United States of America

all through the 18th and 19th century, especially within the Southern States. However, individual

reactions varied from one person to another, that is, some personalities remained pro-slavery

while others were anti-slavery. Therefore, the essay outlines pro-slavery and anti-slavery.

Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth century, there existed the tussle between

proslavery and anti-slavery. That is to say; there existed two groups of people, the first group

championed for the abolition of slave while the other group encouraged the existence of slavery

in the America society. In America, the Southern States, slavery was viewed as a critical

lifestyle. For that reason, they highly encouraged the continuation of slavery. Besides, David

Christy argued that the Southerners could do what it takes to enhance the acceptance of slavery.

Nevertheless, William Lloyd explained that slavery was an abomination in the America society

and had to be halted.

To defend slavery, George Fitzhugh had various arguments alongside thoughts to outdo

the anti-slavery philosophies while teaching them pro-slavery ideas. He argued that slavery was

multidimensional as well as deeply ingrained in the American community and it had to continue.

The pro-slavery individuals (authors) embrace the usage of paternalism, economy, as well as

religion to support themselves in case of an attack regarding their intelligence and morality. For

instance, David Christy reasoned that starved of slavery, there would be an impoverishment of

the whites, both in Europe together with America. As stated earlier, the Southern States were

firmly rooted in slavery; thus, George Fitzhugh argued that they could disintegrate deprived of

slavery. Furthermore, there was consistent evolvement of a religious point of view from every

pro-slavery activists. That is, pro-slavery supporters claimed that it was Gods Will for every
PRO-SLAVERY AND ANTI-SLAVERY 3

black to be enslaved by the whites. Alternatively, an authoritarian argument was very prevalent,

reasoning that slave masters view their slaves as virtual children. George Fitzhugh through his

text The Universal Law of Slavery he proclaimed that an African America is merely a grown-

up infant, therefore, must be directed as a child, but not as a criminal. According to a pro-slavery

theory (George Fitzhugh), slaves were somewhat freer and happier compared to individuals

employed to work for wage labor within the Northern States in America or Europe. Furthermore,

George Fitzhugh argued that slave masters provided necessities alongside comfort for their

slaves. In the American History, it was alleged that African Americans were low-grade

compared to whites; thus, they would easily reduce themselves to barbarism and animalistic

actions.

Oppositely, anti-slavery advocates embrace their non-paternalistic, religious together

with economic perceptions to stand against the pro-slavery arguments. There were various

narratives told by slaves, for instance, Frederick Douglasss narrative was sufficient enough to

substantiate that paternalistic slave containers were minimal as well as far between. In his text,

he outlined issues concerning families separation, inadequate foods and harsh circumstances.

For example, he was taken way taken away from his mother and sold to a different farm.

Because of this, he argued that the majority of slaves failed to know their siblings and parents.

As the main point, Douglass argued that the primary reason behind the slavery defenders

religious arguments was to provide security from their guilt. But in Fredrick Douglass novel, he

illustrated slaves who are displeased and hungry with their lifestyle. From that, Fredrick to some

extent made it hectic for pro-slavery to assume the risks of slavery; because of a feeling of

sympathy for real personnel trying to live under such challenging conditions. William Lloyd in

through his text argued that slavery was hypocritical to African Americans. However, the anti-
PRO-SLAVERY AND ANTI-SLAVERY 4

slavery advocates arguments were out of favor in many states including the North; nonetheless,

anti-slavery activist such as William Lloyd and Fredrick Douglass did an excellent role in

responding adequately to the slavery defenders. This did an outstanding deal better for the

abolishment of slavery in the United States.

Conclusion

In the long run, even though several people were still unresponsive concerning the anti-

slavery ideology versus the continuance of slavery; somewhat they were enlightened to the

reverse to the widespread pro-slavery. The anti-slavery movement at no time gained truly

enormous followers, however, it took the Thirteenth Amendments to end bondage in 1865

eventually. But Lloyd, Douglass and Garrison alongside other anti-servitude advocates

maintained the matter of slavery and race in the front, assisting in establishing the tensions that

led to civil war.

PRO-SLAVERY AND ANTI-SLAVERY 5

References
Christy, D., Bledsoe, A. T., Harper, W., Stringfellow, T., Hammond, J. H., Cartwright, S. A., &

Hodge, C. (1860). Cotton is king. Abbot & Loomis.

Fitzhugh, G. The Declaration of Independence and the Republican Party. Debows Review, 29.

Rogers, W. B. (2006). Frederick Douglass and the Fourth of July.

Ruchames, L. (Ed.). (1963). The Abolitionists: A Collection of Their Writing. Putnam.