Last week one of my classes held a mock town hall meeting to represent the thoughts of pro-slavey and anti-slavery supporters in 18th century America. As each student spoke in place of their historical figure, we found many intense arguments on both sides.
The argument for the pro-slavery side remained pretty consistent. Most, if not all arguments came from white men in the southern states. These men were against the termination of slavery as it would drastically change their economics. Notables like William Harper and my assigned person John C. Calhoun were vocal on how the elimination of slavery would not only affect the South financially but the whole country as well.
Other pro-slavery supporters also argued the moral side of slavery. Again, John C. Calhoun spoke up on this topic by professing all blacks should be just as grateful for slavery as whites. He felt that it was the best living conditions and stable environment any person of color had been in. He also felt that blacks were an inferior race to whites and had no ability to fend for themselves and adjust to society. In his mind, this was to be seen as a good thing for our country, not a bad thing.
On the contrary, there were many that originally supported slavery but changed their views over time. One of these people was Benjamin Franklin. Franklin had owned two slaves at one time and shared the belief of Calhoun that blacks were inferior and not able to be educated. However, once Ben observed the opposite happen, he flipped his whole stance on the matter.
Franklin would go on to be a major supporter for the abolishment of slavery. One quote from our town hall was, “Slavery is theft, the robbery of a person’s life, those that disagree don’t deserve freedom.”
Another person similar to Franklin was Thomas Jefferson. Though Jefferson didn’t directly rebuke slavery, he did see it as somewhat wrong and in need of a moral change. Instead of harsh punishment and dreadful working conditions, Jefferson attempted to make slave work more manageable. He offered better incentives, easier crops, and overall better working time.
Of course, with any argument, one group will be on the completely opposite viewpoint. In this case, the abolitionists or anti-slavery groups were completely against those that were pro-slavery.
These groups unanimously argued that the act of slavery was completely inhumane and should be put to an end. Some, like Henry Clay, felt it should be phased out based on an economic standpoint, while others like John Brown became violent in his call for immediate action.
The anti-slavery activist wrote books, published newspapers, and even began to join the underground railroad to fight against slavery. Many even began to have bounties on their heads from angry southerners that wanted their voices stopped. With all of this anger and division, it became obvious destruction was on its way. The major issue of slavery, among other things, would rock the country so greatly that it would completely divide itself.
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Check out my previous blog on John C. Calhoun!
https://noahtlewis.blogspot.com/2020/09/john-c-calhoun-southern-leader-of-moral.html
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