Southern Defense Of Slavery Essay

The Southern Defense of Slavery Perhaps the greatest shame in the history of the United States would be how the nation dehumanized an entire race of people, reducing them from individuals to property. The people in power benefited greatly from dehumanization, as the owners of slaves had access to workers who had no choice but to perform any given task with no pay. Farmers of the south used slaves to produce cotton, which kept the southern economy strong, and allowed the north to industrialize. With such a dependency on slaves, it is clear why so many fought so vehemently to keep the institution in place, despite how horrible the practice itself was. Generally, the easiest way to defend any heinous act is by turning to religious text and

Our people and our national neighbors are professedly Christians: the vast majority of them profess to get their ideas of morality, as all should, from the sacred Scriptures. “
James Henry Thornwell, a Presbyterian pastor from South Caroline, painted a picture that slaves underneath Christian plantations were treated in a more idealized manner, when in reality, this was often not the case. Thornwell also encouraged secession in the event Lincoln took the presidency. Due to unfortunate caricatures of pro-slave propaganda, the idea that the slaves were lesser, more savage creatures, made many slave owners feel as if they were justified in their actions. Nat Turner’s rebellion inspired fear in the hearts of plantation owners, and ultimately reinforced their views. Many slave owners also believed they actually improved the lives of their slaves, figuring it was surely better to have guaranteed food, clothing, and shelter rather than running around in Africa. William Harper argued that, not only was slavery justified in the Bible, but it also was an institution that truly benefited everyone