Chapter 16

The South and the Slavery Controversy

Understanding the Issue of Slavery

• To understand the Civil War – we must understand the great moral issue of the day – slavery.

• It is wrong to look at slavery as the only issue of the Civil War, and it is just as wrong to make slavery a non-issue of the Civil War.

• Slavery is the fuel that makes the fire of the Civil War explode.

• As far as a we now the first slaves arrived in America in 1619 (around Virginia). 20 slaves in a Dutch ship. This first group would be treated like indentured servants.

• Slaves were owned both in the North and the South, but the South will become the focus of most of the slave population:– The Agricultural Economy. 80% of the population

of the United States will be involved in farming (some shape or fashion). A lot of them are involved in “subsistence farming”.

• Farming was tough and even though families on average tended to be larger than they are today – life was rough in the 1800’s. Life expectancy was 39.5 years, and the infant mortality rate was 33%.

• The Industrial Revolution is just beginning in America and it will take root in the North:– Larger population base– Close proximity to better ports– Discovery of natural resources (coal, ore, etc)– Climate of the south more suited to agriculture

• Most farmed to survive, but plantation (large landowners) farmed to make a profit and many did. Slavery became their cheapest way to make a profit.

• Slavery denies the “personhood” of individuals. Slaves were considered “chattel” or property, and directly violated the ideas represented in the Declaration of Independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

• Then why did American’s allow slavery to exist? Simply because of man’s sin nature. Slavery is the most important moral issue of the 1800’s. “Slavery was intolerably degrading to the victims. They were deprived of the dignity and sense of responsibility that come from independence and the right to make choices. They were denied an education, because reading brought ideas, and ideas brought discontent. Many states passed laws forbidding their instruction, and perhaps nine-tenths of adult slaves at the beginning of the Civil War were totally illiterate. For all slaves – indeed for virtually all blacks, slave or free – the American dream of bettering one’s lot through study and hard work was a cruel and empty mockery.”

• Above the loss of “personhood” – many slaves were mistreated or abused.

• Many families were ripped apart (to make sure that rebellions didn’t take place).

• Governments (even the United States government) protected the institution of slavery. Passage of Fugitive Slave Laws, the balance of power in the Senate (and the desire to keep it that way) – made sure that slavery would exist.

• But the cash crop system in the south is stagnating (tobacco, indigo, rice, and cotton), until 1794 when Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin will allow cotton to become an important crop:

• In 1794 – the south produced about 500,000 lbs of cotton a year, but 1810 – the south soon would produce about 93 million pounds of cotton.

• The Cotton Gin would do the work of 50 men and it made cotton very profitable, and it made slavery sustainable.

• Most slave owners in the south had few slaves (or often a slave family) and they lived in modest means and most often worked right beside their slaves. Large plantation owners would hire overseers to manage the farm land. Often flogging (whipping) was used as an incentive (or disincentive).

• Strong-willed slaves were sent to “breakers”• Most slaves were given only what could

sustain them – the bare minimum.

Few Key Thoughts to Remember• Slavery was found in both the South and the North. It

is dying out in the North and flourishing in the South, but both will have some slavery. The difference in numbers is a result of money – it is how southern plantation owners could make the most money.

• Racism existed in both the South and the North. In the South – slaves were looked at as “chattel or property”. Looked down upon by all classes of people. In the North – Fugitive Slave Laws were strictly enforced. The Underground Railroad ended in Canada. The largest race riot took place in New York City during the war.

• The love of money is the root of all evil…(I Timothy 6:10). Racism (as well as many other sins) have been committed because of the love of money. Amazing what people will accept when finances/security is involved.

• http://youtu.be/-LZoylHngC8

• The Second Great Awakening is the main impetus behind the reform movements of the 1800’s and especially the Abolitionist movement.

• Gradual emancipation – slavery would end over a period of time. Many favored gradual emancipation because there was a fear that they would have to deal with millions of former slaves flooding the job market. Some wanted gradual emancipation with the thoughts of sending former slaves back to Africa (by 1840’s all slaves were born in America).

• Immediate emancipation – slavery would end immediately

Pre-American Revolution• During Colonial Period – the most vocal anti-

slavery group was the Quakers (Society of Friends – the founders of Pennsylvania). Viewed slavery as incompatible with Christian belief.

• First Great Awakening and the American Revolution created a section of Americans that will begin to equate the slave rights with the colonists demand for independence (we see the idea of gradual emancipation develop)

Post-American Revolution• Articles of Confederation Government will

prohibit slavery in the Northwest Territory.• Constitution will ban the trans-Atlantic slave

trade in 1808• African Colonization Society is founded in

1816 – to acquire the freedom of slaves to return them back to their homeland.

Second Great Awakening• The Abolitionist movement (as we know of it)

kicks off in high gear (it is about this time that slavery will be made illegal in England – led by William Wilberforce)

The 1840’s Four important Abolitionists groups will develop

during this time period.• Religious Abolitionists: The American And

Foreign Anti-Slavery Society will argue that slavery is wrong based on Biblical teachings – they are not involved in the political aspect of the argument. Will develop a network of religious benevolent enterprises (American Missionary Association – established to end slavery, educate the slave, promote racial equality, and evangelize).

• Garrisonians– Followers of William Lloyd Garrison– The American Anti-Slavery Society.– Promoted the idea of “nonresistant political practices” –

civil disobedience through economic of political noncooperation (told people not to vote as a way of expressing disapproval for the “proslavery” Constitution.

– Begins The Liberator as an anti-slavery newspaper that called for the immediate emancipation of all slaves

– Two factions develop within the Garrisonians – a group that saw a number of women become active in the process (as an extension it supported women’s rights), and a second faction that held “anti-feminist” views and opposed the public role of women.

• Political Abolitionists– The Liberty Party is formed and it wanted to see the

immediate emancipation of all slaves. Called for a repeal of all racial discriminatory legislation on political and moral grounds (not supported by Garrisonians because they condemned any political activity as an implied endorsement of the legality of slavery). The Liberty Party soon joined forces with the Whigs which angered abolitionists because they saw the Whig Party affiliation as deluding the anti-slavery position (because the focus was not totally on slavery).

– (1848) The Free Soil Party – “free soilers” will drop the concept of immediate emancipation and push for gradual emancipation. First step is to push the idea that slavery cannot be expanded into the western territory.

– (1856) Republican Party – will for the end of slavery (gradual) but a broader base political party dealing with economic issues

• Radical and Militant Abolitionists– Definitely believe in immediate emancipation– In the 1850’s will call for open resistance and

ignoring United States laws– The Underground Railroad– Frederick Douglass – speaking tours– Harriet Beecher Stowe – wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin– John Brown – creating problems in Kansas

(“bleeding Kansas) and will lead a slave rebellion at Harper’s Ferry (caught, sentenced, and executed)