The Peculiar Institution of Slavery during the American Civil War
The "peculiar institution" of slavery during the American Civil War has been extensively discussed in writing over the years. We now have a clear understanding of what life was like during the Antebellum Period thanks to this abundance of information. The era was marked by an increase in abolition and the ongoing conflict between supporters of slavery and abolitionists in America. As more and more information comes to light, the argument for and against the system of slavery has undergone numerous changes. The Declaration of Independence, which stated that "all men are born equal; however, slavery represented the objectification of people that totally mocked that principle; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
Abolitionists and the Fight against Slavery
During the period, various abolitionists including people of color and slave owners joined hands with an aim to eliminate the institution in America. Charles Colcott Jones in the letter to his fiancée (1830) argues that the principle of slavery is wrong both with regards to nature and religion. His sentiments were supported by William Lloyd Garrison who felt that the men of color should be given the rights and privileges that were divinely bestowed to them by God (1833). Slavery was a particularly dramatic situation since it involved tearing families apart and putting them in chains so that they could work in white people’s homes and plantations. Slaves had no rights, were fed poorly, lived in poor conditions, and were overworked without any pay. In his account, Fredrick Douglas notes how slave owners such as Mr. Covey would tie them down and whip them (Foner 395). He provides a detailed description of the torment that slaves went through before dawn and after dusk.
The Dilemma of Slavery Abolition
However, the abolition of slavery presented a challenge and a dilemma during the period. This was particularly because of the economic shift that was occurring with the North turning to manufacturing and the cotton boom in South. The annexation of new territory and the country’s expansion required more labor which the slaves provided for free (Edwards 15). George Fitzhugh in his Sociology of the South (1854) argues that a master is like a father to a “Negro”. He described men of color to be similar to wild horses which must be caught, tamed and domesticated for them to provide good service to their owners (Fitzhugh). Such objectification of slaves was common given that men of color were publicly traded in the slave market. Excerpts from Richmond Slave Traders show slaves being bought and sold for a fee. In one letter, it describes a girl worth $700 who was very severely whipped but had good teeth (1853).
The Dehumanization and Consequences of Slavery
Slavery as an institution dehumanized people of color and caused a rift between many Americans during the time. Some supported the institution for the benefits they accrued such as free labor while others did not approve of slavery for reasons of justice and fairness for all. John Brown was convicted to be hanged on the grounds of inciting a slave rebellion. In his last speech, he said that the Bible which the White man held so dear said that whatever an individual does to another so shall be done to him (Brown). His words meant that every man whether colored or white had an equal fair of right and justice. Slavery was an unjust institution that manifested the ignorance of American people both towards their law and religion.
Works Cited
Brown, John. Last Speech. 1859.
Edwards, Judith. Abolitionists and Slave Resistance: Breaking the Chains of Slavery. Enslow Publishers, 2004.
Excerpts from Richmond Slave Traders’ Journals and Letters, 1853 – 1854.
Fitzhugh, George. Sociology of the South. 1854.
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History: Seagull Fourth Edition. vol. 1. WW Norton & Company, 2013.
Garrison, William L. Declaration of the Sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society. 1833.
Jones, Charles Colcott. Letter to his fiancée Mary. 1830.
