AP Success - AP US History: Southern Perspective on Slavery
In 1854, George Fitzhugh published "Sociology for the South, or the Failure of Free Society," in which he argues for the benefits of domestic slavery in the Southern States.
Domestic slavery in the Southern States has produced the same results in elevating the character of the master that it did in Greece and Rome...But the chief and far most important enquiry is, how does slavery affect the condition of the slave?...Now this is precisely the system of domestic slavery with us. We provide for each slave, in old age and in infancy, in sickness and in health, not according to his labor, but according to his wants...A Southern farm is the beau ideal of Communism; it is a joint concern, in which the slave consumes more than the master, of the coarse products, and is far happier...There is no rivalry, no competition to get employment among slaves, as among free laborers. Nor is there a war between master and slave...The slaves are all well fed, well clad, have plenty of fuel, and are happy. They have no dread of the future no fear of want. A state of dependence is the only condition in which reciprocal affection can exist among human beings the only situation in which the war of competition ceases, and peace, amity and good will arise….
Sociology for the South, or the Failure of Free Society, George Fitzhugh, 1854.
Question 1
Briefly describe one perspective about slavery expressed in the excerpt.
Question 2
Briefly identify one historical trend the author used to support his arguments.
Question 3
Briefly explain one way the ideas expressed in the excerpt led to growing sectional divide.
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