Slavery

Stephen Douglas proposed the idea of popular sovereignty, which allowed residents in each territory to vote on whether or not to allow slavery. He believed this approach would prevent the federal government from imposing its views on the territories and let the residents decide for themselves.

Slaveholders wanted poor whites to feel superior to slaves, so that they would not unite with slaves to challenge the existing power structure. By convincing poor whites that they were better than slaves, slaveholders ensured that their control over slaves remained unchallenged. Additionally, slaveholders sought to maintain social order and stability by preventing potential uprisings or rebellions.

Francis Drake participated in the English slave trade as one of his ventures but it is unclear if he personally believed in the practice of slavery. He engaged in the capture and transport of African slaves during his voyages, which suggests that he was involved in the slave trade.

Douglass uses words like "tyrant," "cruel," "inhuman," and "degrading" to describe slaveholders, revealing his view of them as oppressive and immoral individuals who perpetuate the institution of slavery through violence and exploitation.

Stephen A. Douglas believed in the concept of popular sovereignty, which allowed individual territories to decide for themselves whether to allow or ban slavery. He supported the idea that the people in each territory should have the right to determine their own stance on this issue, rather than having a federal mandate imposed on them.

The plantation system was self-sufficient because it produced its own food, generated income through cash crops like cotton or tobacco, and had a labor force of enslaved people who provided the necessary manpower for agriculture and other operations on the plantation. Additionally, many plantations had their own infrastructure such as housing, schools, and churches to meet the needs of the community living on the plantation.

Edward Clay was an abolitionist who spoke out against slavery. He believed that slavery was morally wrong and detrimental to society. Clay advocated for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

Olaudah Equiano worked with William Wilberforce to abolish the transatlantic slave trade. Equiano provided first-hand accounts of his experiences as a slave, which helped to raise awareness and support for the abolitionist cause. Wilberforce, a British politician, introduced bills in Parliament that eventually led to the abolition of the slave trade in 1807.

Henry Ford did not have slaves; he employed workers in his factories. Ford's treatment of workers, such as implementing the 40-hour workweek and paying higher wages, actually increased their productivity and loyalty. This approach led to higher work output and played a significant role in the success of the Ford Motor Company.

William Wilberforce was a British politician and philanthropist who campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. John Newton, a former slave ship captain turned abolitionist, influenced Wilberforce with his personal account of the brutality of the slave trade. Together, their efforts led to the passing of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which abolished the transatlantic slave trade in the British Empire.

Indifference to slavery can be caused by lack of awareness, societal acceptance, economic benefit, or societal privilege. Historically, it has also been influenced by racism, dehumanization of the enslaved, and a lack of empathy.

The treatment of the slaves reflects a dehumanizing attitude held by the captors, depicting a lack of regard for the value of life. It exemplifies the captors' perception of the slaves as mere commodities to be used and exploited for their own gain. This treatment also underscores the horrendous conditions and disregard for human dignity that Equiano faced in his life as a slave.

The first known individual to speak out against slavery was St. Augustine, a theologian from the early Christian Church who argued that slavery was a result of sin and was not part of God's original plan for humanity.

Stephen Douglas believed in the principle of popular sovereignty, which allowed settlers of a territory to decide whether or not to allow slavery. He was a prominent politician and the Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. Douglas was known for his role in the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which repealed the Missouri Compromise and sparked further tensions over the issue of slavery.

Dred Scott argued that he should be freed from slavery because his owner had taken him to live in free territories, which he believed should make him a free man. He claimed that his residency in these free territories should have granted him his freedom according to the principles of "once free, always free."

Henry Highland Garnet believed in more aggressive tactics to end slavery, advocating for armed resistance and violent uprising. William Lloyd Garrison, on the other hand, was a pacifist who believed in nonviolent resistance and moral persuasion to end slavery.

Hugh Williamson was a signer of the United States Constitution and a prominent North Carolina delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. There is no direct evidence to suggest that he was involved in slavery. However, as a plantation owner in North Carolina, it is likely that he may have benefited from the institution of slavery in his personal life.

Montesquieu did not explicitly condemn slavery, but he did point out its dangers and inefficiencies in his work 'The Spirit of the Laws.' He argued that slavery was not well-suited for commerce or agriculture as it relied on force instead of the natural order.

Frederick the Great of Prussia tolerated and upheld slavery in his colonies as a means of economic profitability and expansion. He viewed slavery as a necessary institution for the prosperity of his territories.

Enlightenment thinkers defended slavery by arguing that it was a natural part of society and necessary for economic prosperity. They believed that certain races were inferior and therefore justified enslaving them for the benefit of stronger civilizations. Some also argued that slavery could help "civilize" and improve the lives of enslaved individuals.

Abolitionists used moral suasion to appeal to the conscience of individuals and society, arguing that slavery was morally wrong and inhumane. They believed that by highlighting the moral implications of slavery, they could persuade people to reject it and support its abolition. Through speeches, writings, and activism, abolitionists aimed to foster a moral awakening and a sense of responsibility to end the institution of slavery.

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, as a plantation owner and political figure in Maryland, held mixed views on slavery. While he owned enslaved individuals himself, he also supported gradual abolition and advocated for the end of the transatlantic slave trade. He believed in the need for a gradual approach to phasing out slavery, rather than an immediate emancipation.

Whites justified slavery by promoting the idea that people of African descent were inferior and suited for servitude, using pseudoscientific theories to support their beliefs. They also argued that slaves were in need of guidance and protection, suggesting that slavery was a benevolent and civilizing institution. Additionally, economic interests played a significant role in maintaining and justifying the institution of slavery.

Charles Pinckney argued that slavery contradicted the principles of equality and liberty upon which the United States was founded. He also believed that slavery was economically inefficient and detrimental to society's moral fabric.

They felt they had a moral obligation to make change.