Slavery between 1820 and 1860
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Slavery between 1820 and 1860
The idea of slavery started long time since the dawn of early civilization but the trade flourished mostly between 1820 and 1860. The U.S slave population increased profoundly between this period due to the higher birth rate, lower mortality rate, and favorable climate and there was enough food under less abusive conditions. Success of slavery was inspired by political and legal framework that allowed possession of other people. However, there was an immense divide between the South and the North on the way slaves were supposed to be treated since the slavery conflict was more of political and economic divide between the two regions.
The North were opposed to slavery unlike the South who even used bible to justify slavery by arguing that there was a curse to Ham’s descendants that they will forever be slaves thus contributing to the need of owning them as their property and Africans having black skin. There were several moral issues raised concerning slaves, as some Americans did not believe that slaves were also human beings who deserved justice and the slaves’ rights. Although, the North supported the freedom and equality for all men, the South was strongly opposed to that due to their economic dependence on the slaves. the North argued that slavery was a moral evil that was supposed to be stopped. Southerners believed that the dark skinned people were of law status in the society and presumed to be slaves unlike the light-skinned individuals (Smith 1-5).
The North which was industrialized and urban heavily depended on the government support unlike the South who essentially depended on agriculture and rural with less reliance on federal government. The South maintained social distinctions between the whites and the slaves and relied massively on the labor provided by the slaves on their plantations. The Southerners had more freedom over their slaves, which even gave household heads power that is far more physical over their slaves than their workers. Southerners had set even rules on sale, hire and transportation of slaves. Due to the availability of the raw materials, Southerners produced the raw materials and transported them to the North, which would later manufacture the final products (Smith 1-5).
The North, due to the availability of factories, were more advanced than the South in almost all aspects and this contributed to the unity of the North. The difference in labor system between the North and the South contributed greatly to the economic differences between the two regions. Slavery largely contributed to the economic collapse of the Southerners because they only depended on one system of labor which slaves were thus making it hard to adapt quickly to changing economic conditions. Most southerners were planters and heavily relied on agriculture due to the available free labor provided by slaves making it difficult to switch to commercial and service industries. Poor infrastructure such as communication and transportation was very poor in the South thus slowing economic growth in the region (Smith 147-150).
The end of civil conflict amongst Americans due to the issue of slavery was marked by peace agreement that contributed to the liberty of Americans. The Southerners reduced their dependency on the slaves after the 13th amendment of the constitution in 1865 and other many amendments that followed which enabled slaves to enjoy their rights and be compensated. The black Americans lived freely due to slavery eradication and racial equality hence contributing to liberty of the American land.
Work Cited
Smith, David G. On the Edge of Freedom: The Fugitive Slave Issue in South Central Pennsylvania, 1820-1870. New York: Fordham University Press, 2013. Print.
