The Southern
Argument for
Slavery
Directions:
 For
each argument complete the
following steps:

Identify if there is any validity to the
argument – explain your answer


AND/OR
Identify the problem with the argument –
explain your answer
Argument 1: Necessary for the
Economy
 Defenders
of slavery argued that the
sudden end to the slave economy
would have had a profound and killing
economic impact in the South where
reliance on slave labor was the
foundation of their economy.


Cotton, tobacco, and rice crops would
die without the necessary help
Tobacco was the most profitable crop
from the U.S.A. – essential to our economy
Argument 2: Unemployment
Rates
 Defenders
of slavery
argued that if all the
slaves were freed, there
would be widespread
unemployment and
chaos.

Freed slaves would not
have jobs  leads to
uprisings, conflicts,
chaos, violence
Argument 3: Natural State of
Mankind
 Defenders
of slavery
argued that slavery had
existed throughout history
and was the natural state
of mankind.

Greeks, Romans, and
English all had slaves
 “Follow
the leader”
Argument 4: The Bible Supports
Slavery
 Defenders
of slavery noted that in the
Bible, Abraham had slaves.


"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house,
... nor his manservant, nor his maidservant.“
Jesus didn’t speak out against it
Argument 5: Africans are
Property
 Defenders
of slavery turned to the
courts, who had ruled, with the Dred
Scott Decision, that all blacks — not just
slaves — had no legal standing as
persons in our courts — they were
property, and the Constitution
protected slave-holders' rights to their
property.
Argument 6: Helps Spread
Christianity
 Defenders
of slavery argued that the
institution was divine, and that it brought
Christianity to the heathen from across the
ocean.

"Never before has the black race of Central
Africa, from the dawn of history to the
present day, attained a condition so
civilized and so improved, not only
physically, but morally and intellectually.“
 -John
C. Calhoun
Argument 7: Slaves were
treated well

Defenders of slavery argued that by
comparison with the poor of Europe
and the workers in the Northern
states, that slaves were better cared
for.


Their owners would help them in times
of need and sickness
Owners would provide for them when
they are old

This wouldn’t happen in the working
world
Reflection:
 Why
do you think people believed these
arguments to be true?
 Is
there evidence of racism and/or
prejudice within the arguments provided?
Explain