Verified Document

Slavery And The Civil War Thesis

Masters began to look at their slaves as inferior to them, more like animals than humans. While the conditions of slavery in the United States during the colonial period were not as harsh as they were under the second-generation masters, the character of the slave trade during these second-generation masters included harsh beatings for discipline ("Slavery in the United States," 2009). Indeed, the entire institution of slavery was wrought with human rights abuses that many soon began to see as contrary to the Declaration of Independence and Spirit of America ("Slavery in the United States," 2009). Certainly, from a millennial viewpoint, it makes sense that forcing a person to work in harsh, deplorable conditions, have no control over their lives, and face the possibility of the sale of him or herself and his or her family members without notice is the polar opposite of freedom. As Americans began to realize this, abolitionist groups began to rise up. Despite the fact that many masters saw themselves as the kindly guardians of their slaves who treated them with the respect and kindness of a father or king taking care of his children or subjects, the slave trade was abolished in the 1830s ("Slavery in the United States," 2009). Of course, abolition in the South would take a greater effort than abolishing it in the North, where it was already limited. In the South, however, slavery was the backbone of the region's economic well-being. Because...

Both Northern and Southern learned men made the case for slavery eloquently, citing religious, moral, and social reasons for its continuance or its abolition ("Slavery in the United States," 2009). When President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, war naturally had to follow. Although it was based on slavery, it was more an embodiment of the two sides' ideologies than a struggle over the issue of slavery itself. It was a struggle for identity, and the identity of freedom won.
Thus, slavery in the United States was an abominable institution that took many lives and questioned the degree to which the United States put into practice its values. But because of slavery, the Civil War was fought, and by winning this war, the North set the precedent for freedom in all circumstances in the United States. Resting on its wings came the civil rights movement and other fights for equality that are still raged in the United States. In United States citizens, the abolition of slavery and victory of the North in the Civil War created the notion that freedom is always worth struggling for.

References

Robinson, B.A. (2007). Slavery in the Bible. Retrieved July 8, 2009, from http://www.religioustolerance.org/sla_bibl.htm

"Slavery in the United States," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2009

http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2009 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Sources used in this document:
References

Robinson, B.A. (2007). Slavery in the Bible. Retrieved July 8, 2009, from http://www.religioustolerance.org/sla_bibl.htm

"Slavery in the United States," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2009

http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2009 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Civil War How Did It Happen That
Words: 939 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Civil War How did it happen that the North won the Civil War, notwithstanding the fact that the South had its own powerful advantages? This paper explores that question using chapters 11, 12, 13 and 14 for reference sources. Background on the Southern economy and politics The South greatly expanded its agricultural industry (the plantation system) between 1800 and 1860, and in doing so became "increasingly unlike the North," the author explains in

Civil War of Northern Aggression Is the
Words: 1317 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Civil War of Northern Aggression Is the Term Accurate? The Civil war has been one of the most controversial topics in the history of United States. Where it has been given many names like War Between the States, the War of the Rebellion and the War for Southern Independence, one of its most controversial names is the War of Northern Aggression. There is an enormous amount of literature written on the subject

Civil War 1861-1865
Words: 1023 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Civil War represents a decisive period in American history, but also one of violence, during which more than 620,000 Americans died. (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 144) The American Civil War was fought between North and the South, and started as a result of their differences regarding slavery, state's rights and federal authority. The decisive moment was when Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln won the election, and become the president

Civil War in a Long War, All
Words: 1329 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Civil War In a long war, all of the economic, financial and population advantages would favor the North since the South was a mostly agrarian region that imported its manufactured goods. Initially, both sides had expected that the war would be short and decisive, although by 1862 it was clear that it might drag on indefinitely. Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and the other Southern leaders realized that their best chance

Civil War Would the Union Still Have
Words: 1383 Length: 4 Document Type: Thesis

Civil War Would the union still have won the civil war if the Border States separated? The union would have still won if the Border States separated. During the Civil War the Border States, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri, were not critical to the unions victory over the confederates. Unfortunately, our modern society has been marred with war and strife over its eventful lifespan. A civil disagreement, when accompanied by mass offenses, often

Civil Death and the American Civil War:
Words: 1750 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Civil Death Death and the American Civil War: Disruptions of Decency and a New Awareness of Reality Victorian notions of the body and its functions were complex given the combination of the rise in biological and medical knowledge that occurred during the nineteenth century and the prudery that gained such traction during the same era. These two trajectories were likely not in simple conflict as they might appear, but rather the increasing

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now