NorthIn the North, due to the geographical conditions, they could not have large plantations. Instead, they had small farms where owners worked alongside the slaves.
Though, the slaves were not a necessity, since the Northern farms were so small. Slavery was soon dying within the North, which caused the movement for abolition. Abolition, the movement against slavery, caught on quickly in the North. They protested loudly and proudly against slavery, and pushed their beliefs into the South, though they were mostly rejected. They knew slavery was wrong, and used quotes from the Bible, and the Constitution in their arguments against it. Many women became abolitionists, and this helped women's rights movement branch off and become popular. Although, there were different kinds of abolitionists. Some wanted gradual lessening of slavery, knowing that changing the entire economy of half a nation would take time. Others wanted immediate change, saying that that if America wanted to be the nation of freedom as it claimed, all had to be equal. |
SouthIn the South, there were many large plantations. These plantations were for both cash crops (crops to be sold for profit) and crops made for the family of the owner of the plantation. These plantations were too big for farmers to handle them by themselves. Thus, they required slaves.
They bought slaves to use around the plantation, and used them for both farming and for taking care of the family. Southerners had many uses for slaves, and almost every family had at least one, and the wealthier families had several. As abolitionists rose, so did anti-abolitionists. They refused to give up slavery, claiming that their economy would collapse without the slaves. They also used quotes from the Bible and the Constitution for their arguments. Soon enough the fight between the two became equal, and neither side seemed to be winning. There were not different kinds of anti-abolitionists, but some wanted more than others. Some wanted to have slavery in the territories, and probably thought that if more states and territories had slavery then that would be a legitimate argument against abolition, some were content with what they had. |
Treatment of Slaves
Slaves, no matter their occupation or location, were treated awfully. They were property, nothing more nothing less. They were forced to work endlessly most hours of the day, with little time to eat or sleep. When they did something wrong, they were punished in horrible ways.
Although, there were differences that began to show. In the textbook, there was a quote that stated that slaves in the cities were treated much better than those in the country. Slaves in the cities were traded between jobs, but always had the same owner. They were able to walk around on the streets freely, and were not physically punished as much or as harshly as country slaves. They had much more social rights.
Many slaves in the country, however, woke up early, had a small meal, and were sent to work until the owner told them to stop. Some were assigned to work inside the homes, and others were assigned to work in the plantations. In many cases, slaves underwent treatment and often times, family members were divided. Conversely, many slaves developed strong relationships with their owners and struggled to adapt to freedom.
Although, there were differences that began to show. In the textbook, there was a quote that stated that slaves in the cities were treated much better than those in the country. Slaves in the cities were traded between jobs, but always had the same owner. They were able to walk around on the streets freely, and were not physically punished as much or as harshly as country slaves. They had much more social rights.
Many slaves in the country, however, woke up early, had a small meal, and were sent to work until the owner told them to stop. Some were assigned to work inside the homes, and others were assigned to work in the plantations. In many cases, slaves underwent treatment and often times, family members were divided. Conversely, many slaves developed strong relationships with their owners and struggled to adapt to freedom.
Abolition
Abolition was the movement to end slavery. It started in the North, since, due to the size of their farms, the slaves weren't really necessary. Northerners eventually began to see slavery, and owning a slave, as an unmoral act. Whereas in the South, the more slaves, the better. In the South, their entire economy revolved around the owning of slaves. Their plantations needed slaves to keep being successful, to keep the powerful status they had in the area of crop growing. The Northerners, however, held conferences and rallies against slavery. They tried to preach about how it was only hurting more people than necessary. The Southerners began to use propaganda like the false image of the "happy slave". Southerners also wanted slavery to be spread into the territories, which abolitionists were very seriously against. After several debates and fights over what should happen with the territories, Congress decided to split them up into free states and free states. They kept it an even number, so one side would not have leverage over the other.