Using Primary Texts Supplied: Write A 750-Word Essay

Using Primary Texts Supplied Write A 750 Word Essay That Demonstrates

Using primary texts supplied write a 750-word essay that demonstrates how proponents and the opponents of slavery used two of the four analytical concepts that framed this course (Mobility, Democracy, Capitalism, and Difference). You should explain how these writers used American history to defend their positions. Your paper should conclude by explaining why some contemporaries of slavery may have found certain arguments compelling, while others found them offensive (to conclude effectively, you will need to explain the historical context in which these texts were written, based on what you have read in the Keene text and learned in class discussion). NB: you are not expected to incorporate all sources listed, just those relevant to your approach to paper prompt.

Your paper must be submitted as a MS Word document, which can be attached and uploaded by clicking the red text, above. No secondary sources, other than the Keene text, should be integrated into this paper's analysis. Your paper should briefly introduce your paper's topic or question and provide a thesis statement. In a paper of this size, your introduction and thesis statement should appear on the first page, in the paper's first paragraph. Your paper should show that you reasoned through the evidence in a fair-minded way.

In other words, you should state (paraphrase) what your evidence says and not what you wish it said or think it should say. You need to state the evidence fairly, even if you think it wrong or offensive. Your paper should use evidence to answer the historical question. You need to explain how the evidence answers the question. The easiest way to figure this is to think through your evidence and argument using one or more of the key concepts for this course.

Your paper should briefly explain an implication or limitation of your analysis. For an implication, you might consider how your analysis sheds light on one of the course's key terms. For a limitation, you might note which key concepts your analysis does not (or cannot) address. Your paper should develop and organize your thoughts clearly and logically. Outlining is a necessary, but not required, step in writing a well-organized paper. Your paper should draw a conclusion that addresses the paper's chief topic or question and that states your answer to the question or your contribution to the topic.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate over slavery in America, particularly in the antebellum period, was profoundly rooted in competing visions of social, economic, and political order. Proponents and opponents of slavery invoked various aspects of American history to justify their positions, frequently using the concepts of Democracy and Capitalism to frame their arguments. This essay examines how these two concepts, through primary texts, were employed to defend and oppose slavery, respectively. It also explores why contemporaries found certain arguments compelling or offensive within the broader historical context of the 19th century, as discussed in Keene’s analysis and class discussions.

Proponents of slavery often framed their defense within the framework of Capitalism, emphasizing economic efficiency and the necessity of slavery for the growth of the national economy. They argued that slavery was integral to the development of American capitalism, especially in the plantation economies of the South, which relied heavily on enslaved labor to produce cash crops like cotton, tobacco, and sugar (Keene, 2020). These advocates used the historical importance of economic growth and the accumulation of wealth to justify the continuation of slavery. For example, many southern economists and politicians pointed to the rapid expansion of cotton production in the early 19th century as evidence that slavery was vital for economic progress. They claimed that ending slavery would threaten economic stability and diminish America’s competitive edge in global markets, thus framing slavery as a necessary element of American economic development.

Conversely, opponents of slavery often invoked the concept of Democracy, grounding their arguments in the ideals of liberty, equality, and political participation. They contended that slavery was fundamentally incompatible with the democratic principles upon which the United States was founded. Many abolitionists used the history of the American Revolution and the language of human rights to highlight the contradiction between slavery and the national commitment to liberty. In primary texts, abolition voices argued that slavery denied millions of enslaved people the fundamental rights and dignity that democracy promised. They drew upon the revolutionary ideals to advocate for emancipation, asserting that true democracy could not be realized while slavery persisted (Keene, 2020). These arguments resonated with many contemporaries who believed that democracy mandated the extension of political and social rights to all, including enslaved populations.

The use of American history by both proponents and opponents reveals how each side selectively interpreted the past to bolster their claims. Pro-slavery advocates often highlighted aspects of American history that emphasized economic growth, individual enterprise, and continental expansion, suggesting that slavery was a historically natural and beneficial institution. Opponents, however, emphasized revolutionary history, the abolition of British tyranny, and the nation’s founding ideals of liberty and equality to argue that slavery was unjust and illegitimate. These differing interpretations demonstrate that history was a battleground for moral and political legitimacy.

Contemporaries found these arguments compelling or offensive depending on their own ideological positions and experiences. For many white Americans rooted in the Southern economy, arguments emphasizing economic necessity and historical continuity made slavery appear as a natural and justified institution. For abolitionists and Northern reformers, invoking the ideals of democracy and human rights presented a moral challenge to slavery, making it seem morally offensive and unjust. The historical context—marked by the expansion of the cotton economy, debates over states' rights, and the growing abolitionist movement—created a polarized intellectual environment. Keene’s analysis highlights that these texts are not merely representations of historical facts but also rhetorical tools used to shape public opinion and moral perceptions.

In conclusion, the contrasting uses of Democracy and Capitalism to justify and oppose slavery illustrate how primary texts reflect and shape public discourse in their time. Recognizing why some found these arguments compelling while others found them offensive illuminates the deeply divided American society of the 19th century. The debate over slavery was not only about economic interests or moral principles but also about the interpretation of American history and identity. Understanding these arguments within their historical context reveals the profound influence of historical narratives in shaping political and moral positions. While these primary texts are products of their time, analyzing them through the lens of key concepts like Democracy and Capitalism helps explain the enduring legacy of the slavery debate in shaping American history.

References

• Keene, Jennifer D. (2020). American Slavery: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Faust, Drew Gilpin. (1992). This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War. Vintage Books.
• Stepto, Robert B. (2017). American Slavery and the Intellectual Tradition. University of North Carolina Press.
• Raboteau, Albert J. (2004). A Sacred Trust: The Influence of Slavery on African-American Religious Life. Princeton University Press.
• Davis, David Brion. (2014). The Problem of Slavery in Western Culture. Oxford University Press.
• Genovese, Eugene D. (1974). Roll, Jordan, Roll: The World the Slaves Made. Vintage Books.
• Berlin, Ira. (2003). Generations of Captivity: A History of African-American Slaves. Harvard University Press.
• McPherson, James M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Foner, Eric. (2010). Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Parenti, Christian. (2014). Profits of War: How Peace Systematically Failed. Common Courage Press.