American Vs Slavery In The 1800s

Americans Versus Slavery
Some families are divided over what to eat for dinner, but imagine a nation divided over its different perspectives on life. In the 1800's, when cupcakes were first invented, Americans were fighting over bigger things than what flavor cupcake they wanted. In other words, the whole American nation divided over one issue, slavery. During the Civil War, slavery changed many people's thoughts about others and the government. Ultimately, during the nineteenth century, slavery affected America in many ways; it changed Americans’ beliefs about education and unity, as well as made them want to consider treason.
First off, when slavery existed, slaves were not provided with an adequate education. As a matter of fact, slaves could not go to school because of their race, but some slaves, such as Fredrick Douglass, found ways around this issue. For instance, Douglass once claimed that slaveholders thought "… it was
almost an unpardonable offense to teach slaves to read..." so he taught himself how to read. Not being able to go to school, Douglass had to educate himself by learning how to read. Slaves could not go to school because their owners felt if their captives were educated, they could outsmart their masters. For example, when reading Douglass learned he could gain "the power of the truth over... even a slaveholder”, or outsmart his master. (Douglass). Certainly, Douglass knew, if he learned how to read, he would be able to decipher posters, such as those that claimed slaves were free in the Northern states. Nevertheless, Douglass may have been upset with the fact that slaves could not have a proper education; however other abolitionists were fighting for unity.
Furthermore, advocates of slavery were fighting for unity in the United States. In fact, America’s famous president, Abraham Lincoln, tried to unite the Northern states and the Southern states, which were divided during the Civil War to be one nation again. To demonstrate, Lincoln once said, "I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free." Lincoln's statement proves he knew slavery had to be banished for the United States to survive. Lincoln did not expect slavery to be banned right away, but he knew slavery would be prohibited, sooner or later. To illustrate, Lincoln once claimed, "Wise councils may accelerate or delay it, but sooner or later the victory is sure to come." By claiming this, Mr. Lincoln explained how people would try to keep slavery legal, but it would end, sooner or later. Although, people such as Abraham Lincoln wanted unity, others wanted to commit treason against America.
Lastly, the issue of slavery caused Americans to want to commit treason against their country.
As a matter of fact, John Wilkes Booth, a member of the former United States Union, wanted to assassinate Abraham Lincoln because of their different opinions about slavery. For instance, Mr. Booth, alongside of other United States citizens, believed that "the tyrant Abraham Lincoln had... the nerve to sit behind... Jefferson Davis’s desk... " (Swanson). John Wilkes Booth believed in slavery, so he called Lincoln a tyrant because he sat behind someone’s desk who was killed, during the Civil War, and had supported slavery, like Booth. Not only did Booth view Lincoln as a tyrant, but he also wanted to harm Lincoln because of their different perspectives. To demonstrate, Booth "objected to the idea" that slaves should be free and "threatened to kill Lincoln" (Swanson). Booth's statement clearly shows he wanted Lincoln dead because of slavery disputes. Overall, the thought of freeing slaves caused American citizens to want to commit
treason.
All in all, the United States was impacted by slavery in several ways by altering Americans’ beliefs about education and unity and making them want to consider treason. Some civilians believed slaves should get equal education, as white men do. Also, those same civilians believed the nation should unite together, into one. On the other hand, others did not believe in this and considered committing treason. Speaking up and standing out, like Douglass, Lincoln, and Booth, is always good because people can hear both sides of the story.