Disagreeing on Slavery

The Declaration of Independence clearly and famously states, “All men are created equal” and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the early years of the United States, however, this affirmation of basic rights did not extend and apply to all. African Americans, who were at the time viewed simply as property rather than as human beings, had these rights completely deprived of them by being kept in slavery on southern farms and plantations. Slaves on these plantations did various work and tasks but mostly harsh manual labor farming in the fields for their masters. Slavery had been an established institution in the country since colonial times and while there had always been several opinions on the issue, it had been basically accepted or at least acknowledged as part of the Nation’s culture and framework. Eventually the opposing views became more defined and ultimately split into the Anti-Slavery North and the Pro-Slavery South. Both perspectives had legitimate reasons to back up their different views and ideas about how to handle slavery as the country grew and matured. In the years leading up to the Civil War, the opinions of the North and South on the future of the existence of slavery differed because of economic, social, and political reasons. By the mid 1800’s Northerners commonly agreed on the belief that the complete abolition of slavery was imperative to the future success of the country. Up until this point most thought of slavery as a necessary evil, and so it was tolerated with the expectation and aspiration for it to eventually die out (Stolyarov). Disagreements over slavery date back as far at the American Revolution. During the war Northerners were bothered by the fact that the white Southern slaveholding population was more concerned with protecting their slaves than fighting and defeating the British. Many, including commander-in-chief George Washington, were disturbed by the fact that Southern slave owners were