Write A Well-Organized Essay: A Minimum Of 700 Words

Write A Well Organized Essay Aminimum Of 700 Wordsbut Not Limited To

Write a well-organized essay, a minimum of 700 words (but not limited to), including supporting details from the documents/textbook/other sources, in which you analyze and discuss the material that has been assigned by addressing the following question: Most southerners defended slavery, even though they were not part of the "Plantation Aristocracy." According to the readings that you have completed, discuss why they supported slavery, and your response to the claims made by its supporters, and explain why it was easier to end the slave trade than to end slavery itself. IMPORTANT NOTE: -Must be in APA format -Prepare the assignment as a Word Document, double-spaced and using a standard font of 12 points. -Use the file I uploaded to help you formulate this paper.

Paper For Above instruction

The enduring defense of slavery by many Southerners, despite not belonging to the elite "Plantation Aristocracy," highlights complex social, economic, and ideological factors that shaped attitudes toward slavery in the United States. Analyzing historical texts and scholarly sources reveals that support for slavery was driven not solely by economic interests but also by deeply ingrained racial ideologies, cultural perceptions, and beliefs in social stability. Moreover, the practical difficulties in abolishing slavery compared to the relatively straightforward abolition of the transatlantic slave trade played significant roles in the persistence of slavery as an institution.

Many white Southerners, even those who were small farmers or non-slave-holding citizens, supported slavery due to a combination of economic, social, and psychological reasons. Economically, the institution of slavery was foundational to the Southern economy, particularly in regions where cotton, tobacco, and sugar cultivation depended on the labor of enslaved Africans. For small landholders, maintaining slavery was seen as essential for economic success and survival within the Southern economic system (Berlin, 2003). Additionally, support for slavery served to reinforce social hierarchies, guaranteeing a racial caste system that privileged white supremacy and limited societal mobility for both black people and economically disadvantaged whites (Litwack, 1998).

Culturally, many Southerners embraced racial ideologies that justified slavery as a benign or even beneficial institution. Pseudoscientific theories of racial superiority and divine sanctioning of slavery fostered widespread acceptance, minimizing concerns over human rights violations (Berkin et al., 2014). These beliefs were propagated through education, religion, and social customs, creating a moral framework that defended slavery as a necessary and natural order. Supporters argued that slavery was sanctioned by the Bible and that African Americans were inherently suited for servitude, which further entrenched opposition to abolition (McPherson, 1988).

Critics of slavery, as examined in historical debates and writings, responded to these claims by highlighting the brutality, inhumanity, and moral contradictions inherent in the institution. Opponents argued that slavery violated universal human rights, exploited vulnerable populations, and undermined the democratic ideals of liberty and equality (Foner, 2010). The abolitionist movement, gaining momentum during the 19th century, challenged the moral and economic justifications of slavery, revealing its profound injustices and calling for its end.

One of the key distinctions in the history of slavery and abolition is the difference in the ease of ending the transatlantic slave trade versus ending slavery itself. The transatlantic slave trade was abolished relatively swiftly through legislative acts, such as the British Slave Trade Act of 1807 and the U.S. Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves in 1807, primarily because it was primarily a commercial activity that could be regulated and prohibited as a matter of international law (Eltis & Richardson, 2010). It was considered feasible to stop the flow of new enslaved Africans because it involved controlling maritime trade routes and enforcing customs laws.

In contrast, ending slavery required dismantling an extensive economic and social system deeply embedded within Southern society. Slavery was not merely a source of labor but also a foundation of social hierarchy, political power, and local economies. Consequently, many white Southerners perceived the abolition of slavery as a direct threat to their way of life. The abolition of the slave trade did not threaten the ongoing existence of slavery as an institution; it merely stopped the importation of new enslaved persons. Once slavery was established, it was an endogenous system sustained by generational ties, legal codes, and economic dependencies (Hahn, 2004). Therefore, the political and cultural resistance to ending slavery was much more formidable, often leading to violent conflicts, like the Civil War.

Furthermore, economic interests, ideological beliefs, and geographic considerations contributed to the prolonged existence of slavery. Slaveholders had invested heavily in enslaved labor and sought to protect their economic interests, making emancipation highly contentious. Ideologically, defenders of slavery argued that it was a 'positive good' and a divine ordinance, bolstering their resistance to abolition efforts (Davis, 1981). The political landscape also played a role, as Southern states prioritized states' rights and resisted federal interventions aimed at ending slavery. These attitudes made ending slavery a complex process involving constitutional amendments, societal upheaval, and violent conflict.

In conclusion, the support for slavery among many non-plantation Southerners was rooted in economic dependence, racial ideologies, social hierarchies, and cultural beliefs. While they did not belong to the aristocratic planter class, these factors fostered widespread acceptance of the institution. The relative ease of ending the transatlantic slave trade compared to slavery itself was primarily due to the former being a commercial activity susceptible to regulation and international law, whereas the latter was embedded as the backbone of the Southern economy and society. These intertwined factors explain why slavery persisted long after the abolition of the slave trade and highlight the complex dynamics that challenged efforts toward emancipation.

References

• Berkin, C., Miller, C., Stillman, J., & Gormly, L. (2014). The American Journey: A History of the United States. Cengage Learning.
• Davis, D. B. (1981). The Problem of Slavery in the Age of Revolution, 1770-1823. Cornell University Press.
• Eltis, D., & Richardson, D. (2010). The Transatlantic Slave Trade. Routledge.
• Foner, E. (2010). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Hahn, S. (2004). A Nation Under Our Feet: Black Political Struggles in the Rural South from Slavery to the Great Migration. Harvard University Press.
• Litwack, L. F. (1998). Been in the Storm So Long: The Aftermath of Slavery. Vintage Books.
• McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Berlin, I. (2003). Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in North America. Harvard University Press.