Slavery

Definition

Slavery is a system in which individuals are owned by others, forced to work without compensation, and stripped of personal freedoms. This institution has historically been tied to economic exploitation, racial discrimination, and social inequality. In the context of American history, slavery played a crucial role in shaping societal norms and tensions, particularly during the mid-19th century leading up to the Civil War.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Slavery was a legally sanctioned institution in the United States, particularly in the Southern states, where it became integral to the economy, especially in agriculture.
2. The Lincoln-Douglas debates highlighted differing views on slavery, with Lincoln opposing its expansion while Douglas supported states' rights to decide on the issue.
3. The brutality of slavery was evidenced through various means, including physical punishment, family separations, and psychological trauma inflicted on enslaved people.
4. Resistance to slavery took many forms, including revolts, escapes via the Underground Railroad, and legal challenges from abolitionists.
5. The debates surrounding slavery were not only moral but also political and economic, impacting everything from party alignments to national policies leading up to the Civil War.

Review Questions

• How did the Lincoln-Douglas debates reflect the political divisions in America regarding slavery?
  • The Lincoln-Douglas debates exemplified the stark political divisions over slavery during the 1850s. Lincoln argued against the expansion of slavery into new territories, advocating for its eventual end, while Douglas championed popular sovereignty, allowing states to decide for themselves. This clash highlighted how deeply entrenched views on slavery were shaping political landscapes and foreshadowed the national conflict that would erupt into the Civil War.
• What were some strategies used by abolitionists to combat slavery during the period surrounding the Lincoln-Douglas debates?
  • Abolitionists employed various strategies to combat slavery, including public speaking engagements, publishing pamphlets and newspapers that exposed the horrors of slavery, and organizing protests. Some established networks like the Underground Railroad to assist enslaved individuals seeking freedom. The heightened attention from political debates like those between Lincoln and Douglas further galvanized public sentiment against slavery and mobilized support for abolitionist efforts.
• Evaluate how public perception of slavery shifted due to events like the Lincoln-Douglas debates and subsequent actions taken by figures such as Abraham Lincoln.
  • Public perception of slavery underwent significant shifts influenced by events like the Lincoln-Douglas debates and Lincoln's actions. As Lincoln positioned himself against the expansion of slavery, he began to frame it as a moral issue rather than just a political one. This shift encouraged a broader dialogue on human rights and justice, leading to increased support for abolitionist movements. Ultimately, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation marked a pivotal moment where public sentiment transitioned toward viewing slavery as an intolerable violation of liberty, significantly impacting the nation’s trajectory toward Civil War.

Related terms

Abolitionism: A political and social movement aimed at ending slavery and the slave trade.

Fugitive Slave Act: Laws that provided for the return of escaped slaves to their owners, further entrenching the institution of slavery in the U.S.

Emancipation Proclamation: An executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 that declared the freedom of slaves in Confederate-held territory.