Slavery Dbq Analysis

When Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin in the 1794, his intention was to reduce the number of laborers needed in the production of cotton. However, this invention actually led to the drastic growth of the institution of slavery. This invention made the production of cotton cheaper and increased the demand for the product. Therefore, more laborers were needed to keep up with the demand. With the Second Great Awakening, came many social movements. Americans became more religious, fought for women’s rights, and fought for African American rights. In the north specifically, the abolitionist movement, the movement for the end of slavery, gained traction. Naturally, the slave reliant south vehemently opposed. The nation became polarized over the
The southern economy relied on slave labor. Southerners believed abolition “... would put an end to the cultivation of our great southern staple (Doc 2)”. The author clearly thinks abolition would have dire consequences for the southern economy. In document 4, slaves are depicted picking cotton while wealthy whites observe. The scene is calm and serene. The purpose of this document is to advocate plantation life. Contradictory to southerner’s claims, slave labor was not the most cost effective means of production at the time. Free laborers would have an incentive for hard work: a salary. Slaves, however, had no incentive and even worked slowly at times to spite their owners. Slave owners also believed that they were providing their slaves with a satisfactory life. Slave owners fed, clothed, and housed their slaves. Slave owners argued that their slaves were their family.They thought they were saving their slaves from “excess of labor, this actual want and distressing cares (Doc 1)”. The purpose of this document was to defend slavery. In addition, the supreme court case Dredd Scott v. Stanford further affirmed southerner’s belief in the institution of slavery. This case determined that slaves were nothing more than property. Slaves were “the most valuable species of their property, worth according to recent estimates, not less than $4,000,000,000 (Doc 7)”. The intended audience of this document was the Governor of
To them, slavery was morally wrong. For this reason, the abolitionist movement grew in popularity. Abolitionists spread their thoughts through conventions, speeches, and literature. One such convention was the National Negro Convention of 1843. There, many vocalized their distaste for slavery. “In every man’s mind the good seeds of liberty are planted, and he who brings his fellow man down so low, as to make him contented with a condition of slavery, commits the highest crime against God and man (Doc 3)”. The intended audience of this document is the National Negro Convention. One example of abolitionist literature is Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Hariet Beecher Stowe (Doc 6). This novel tells the story of a slave escaping his malicious owner. It was a best-seller in the North and England. The purpose of this document was to advertise Stowe’s novel. For many. Uncle Tom’s Cabin revealed the atrocities of slavery and the true struggles a slave faced. Increased restrictions regarding slave laws created controversy between abolitionists and slave advocates. As a result of the compromise of 1850, fugitive slave laws were born. That means that if northerners came into contact with any runaway slaves, they were forced to return them. Northerners were angered by these laws. They felt it was unfair for slaves found in free states were forced to return to bondage. Northerners who openly opposed these laws were often fined or jailed.