the PROLIFERATION of slavery
Summary
To some extent, the expansion of the frontier, especially during the 19th century, contributed to the rapid spread of the cruel, de-humanizing institution of slavery. Throughout the 19th century, slavery was rapidly growing in Texas and other newly acquired lands. Citizens from Texas who were loyal to the Confederate State were determined to ensure that their "peculiar institution survived. Around 4 million people were en-slaved by 1860. When cotton cultivation expanded into the West alongside the frontier, slavery rapidly expanded as well. According to the 1860 federal census, about 30% of the Texas population consisted of enslaved individuals. According to the historian Randolph B. Campbell, "Texas was slavery's frontier during the late antebellum period." It's fertile soil made it suited for cotton production and therefore slavery. As a result of such a dramatic expansion of slavery, many Southerners advocated re-opening African slave trade, which the U.S. Congress banned in 1808. Between 1850 and 1860, slave prices in Texas doubled, and the actual slave population grew by 200%. Furthermore, the entire financial and mercantile community (essentially, the economy) or Huston, Texas, was reliant on cotton and sugar business, which, was in-turn dependent on slavery. Thus, other members, not necessarily slave-trader or owners, benefited from slave trade. Some whites essentially "hired out" slaves for a certain period of time to perform any tax, which increased the number Texans who were interested in preserving slavery. Thus, when the time came and the Civil War had begun, several Texans demanded secession from the Union, which hopes of preserving slavery. Numerous Americans whole-heartedly opposed the spread of slavery. One of the most prominent transcendentalist writers in American History, Henry David Thoreau, wrote strongly against this practice in his Civil Disobedience, and was ultimately landed in jail
Connection to the Thesis
This artifact connects to the thesis statement because it portrays some of the most brutal effects of the American frontier on American society. With the easy availability of new land, large-scale farmers were able to expand their sugar and cotton cultivation into the land. Inevitably, the transportation and expansion of slavery was inevitable. This impacted society in two major ways: (1) pro-slave and anti-slave states began to rift apart which ultimately culminated in a Civil War and (2) the American idea of "white superiority" continued to grow unchecked. The result of slavery (and the expansion of the American frontier), in the end, was nearly fatal to the United States. Slavery caused the American people to essentially be living an a paradox: we claimed that we were a democratic nation where "all men are equal", yet, curiously, this law that "all men are equal" was not applied to African Americans due to their skin color.
To some extent, the expansion of the frontier, especially during the 19th century, contributed to the rapid spread of the cruel, de-humanizing institution of slavery. Throughout the 19th century, slavery was rapidly growing in Texas and other newly acquired lands. Citizens from Texas who were loyal to the Confederate State were determined to ensure that their "peculiar institution survived. Around 4 million people were en-slaved by 1860. When cotton cultivation expanded into the West alongside the frontier, slavery rapidly expanded as well. According to the 1860 federal census, about 30% of the Texas population consisted of enslaved individuals. According to the historian Randolph B. Campbell, "Texas was slavery's frontier during the late antebellum period." It's fertile soil made it suited for cotton production and therefore slavery. As a result of such a dramatic expansion of slavery, many Southerners advocated re-opening African slave trade, which the U.S. Congress banned in 1808. Between 1850 and 1860, slave prices in Texas doubled, and the actual slave population grew by 200%. Furthermore, the entire financial and mercantile community (essentially, the economy) or Huston, Texas, was reliant on cotton and sugar business, which, was in-turn dependent on slavery. Thus, other members, not necessarily slave-trader or owners, benefited from slave trade. Some whites essentially "hired out" slaves for a certain period of time to perform any tax, which increased the number Texans who were interested in preserving slavery. Thus, when the time came and the Civil War had begun, several Texans demanded secession from the Union, which hopes of preserving slavery. Numerous Americans whole-heartedly opposed the spread of slavery. One of the most prominent transcendentalist writers in American History, Henry David Thoreau, wrote strongly against this practice in his Civil Disobedience, and was ultimately landed in jail
Connection to the Thesis
This artifact connects to the thesis statement because it portrays some of the most brutal effects of the American frontier on American society. With the easy availability of new land, large-scale farmers were able to expand their sugar and cotton cultivation into the land. Inevitably, the transportation and expansion of slavery was inevitable. This impacted society in two major ways: (1) pro-slave and anti-slave states began to rift apart which ultimately culminated in a Civil War and (2) the American idea of "white superiority" continued to grow unchecked. The result of slavery (and the expansion of the American frontier), in the end, was nearly fatal to the United States. Slavery caused the American people to essentially be living an a paradox: we claimed that we were a democratic nation where "all men are equal", yet, curiously, this law that "all men are equal" was not applied to African Americans due to their skin color.
EXCERPT from henry david thoreau writing assignment
Thoreau’s “Way of Life”, by Shereen Elaidi.
Society is unaware of the true life. The true meaning of life. Society is blind—unexposed, to such a true, and pure way of living. I, however, am not. My experiences have proved contradictory to the views and ideals of society. Society values money, people, and rules. This is not life! Life is solitude, contemplation, and simplicity. Society is living a false and fake life—a lifestyle that has led to its corruption. Human beings are to be respected, and given rights, no matter their ethnicity. They should not be subjected to hours of involuntary, harsh, and arduous labor under the mercy of a cruel master, all due to their ethnicity. This, is pure corruption. This is not life. Where did such a cruel practice arise from? The economic needs of the nation. Materialism. This is the product of complexity—therefore, in order to avoid corruption, we must live a simple life. Simplicity is a savoir from corruption...
The need for economic gain had led to the ruthless greed to expand into territories that is not theirs, and the laziness of Southern farmers to institute their cruel, demoralizing, “peculiar institution” they call slavery. Pure corruption.
Complexity has led to the corruption. Slavery and ruthless expansion. Ruthless expansion has led to inhumane displacement of Natives. Such a complicated economy has given rise to slavery. What human being with morals came up with the idea of exploiting other human beings for their own personal gain? And the blame doesn't only fall on the Southerners practicing slavery—it falls on everyone not actively doing something to avoid it. You must stand up for what you believe. Do not let society tell you what to do. If you are not happy about the government that allows slavery, then do not do nothing. Do something. Refuse to pay taxes to such a government. John Locke’s natural law gives the humans the right to rebel against the government. Our prized Declaration of Independence is founded on this philosophy. Use it. Slavery is unjust and a threat to the liberty of African Americans. This is dehumanizing. One should practice Civil disobedience in cases such as this. It is the citizens, such as our selves, which keep the government in check. It is our job to keep the government in check. However, such issues wouldn't have risen if society had lived a simple life. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Never trust a complex man.
Society is unaware of the true life. The true meaning of life. Society is blind—unexposed, to such a true, and pure way of living. I, however, am not. My experiences have proved contradictory to the views and ideals of society. Society values money, people, and rules. This is not life! Life is solitude, contemplation, and simplicity. Society is living a false and fake life—a lifestyle that has led to its corruption. Human beings are to be respected, and given rights, no matter their ethnicity. They should not be subjected to hours of involuntary, harsh, and arduous labor under the mercy of a cruel master, all due to their ethnicity. This, is pure corruption. This is not life. Where did such a cruel practice arise from? The economic needs of the nation. Materialism. This is the product of complexity—therefore, in order to avoid corruption, we must live a simple life. Simplicity is a savoir from corruption...
The need for economic gain had led to the ruthless greed to expand into territories that is not theirs, and the laziness of Southern farmers to institute their cruel, demoralizing, “peculiar institution” they call slavery. Pure corruption.
Complexity has led to the corruption. Slavery and ruthless expansion. Ruthless expansion has led to inhumane displacement of Natives. Such a complicated economy has given rise to slavery. What human being with morals came up with the idea of exploiting other human beings for their own personal gain? And the blame doesn't only fall on the Southerners practicing slavery—it falls on everyone not actively doing something to avoid it. You must stand up for what you believe. Do not let society tell you what to do. If you are not happy about the government that allows slavery, then do not do nothing. Do something. Refuse to pay taxes to such a government. John Locke’s natural law gives the humans the right to rebel against the government. Our prized Declaration of Independence is founded on this philosophy. Use it. Slavery is unjust and a threat to the liberty of African Americans. This is dehumanizing. One should practice Civil disobedience in cases such as this. It is the citizens, such as our selves, which keep the government in check. It is our job to keep the government in check. However, such issues wouldn't have risen if society had lived a simple life. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Never trust a complex man.