Compare And Contrast Monroe And Madison's Views On Slavery

James Madison and James Monroe owned slaves themselves, but opposed the practice. Both wished for slavery to end, but in the meantime, they did not mind owning slaves themselves. James Madison treated his slaves well, he, “While away from home . . . would write to his father and ask about "the Family" which included the family slaves,” (Clark). Madison might have tolerated slavery for the time being, but he was not cruel. Even though he did this, he did not approve of his slaves learning the ideas of freedom. When one of his slaves learned these ideas, he had him moved away, and presumably the slave still had a relatively good life. Madison did not want his other slaves to gain the thoughts of freedom. James Monroe and James Madison believed that, “Gradual emancipation was the way to go,” (Clark) possibly to a location in Africa to avoid a society of blacks and whites. James Madison, when governor, stopped a rebellion of slaves, which helped him to realize gradual emancipation was necessary. Madison called for the

Adams knew that, and so he never owned slaves. Adams also believed in the gradual emancipation of slaves, as he believed it would cause much less trouble than immediate emancipation of all slaves. Adams, “felt that the radical abolitionists were a threat to the Union,” (Crandall). John Quincy Adams thought that these radicalists might be a threat to the unity of the nation. Adams, in Congress, worked hard to repeal the “gag act” so that slavery might be discussed in congress. Eventually he succeeded. When captured Africans on a ship rebelled and were then arrested, Adams defended and represented these people, as he argued for the, “fundamental liberties for all,” (Crandall). Adams said that these people were unlawfully captured and detained, and therefore had the right to be free, and won the case. John Quincy Adams had strong anti slavery