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Defending Slavery Essay

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Defending Slavery The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issue of African slavery in America in the antebellum by late eighteenth century and before the antebellum crisis as discussed in Paul Finkelman’s book: Defending Slavery. This paper will summarize the first part of book taking as a main topic racial aspects of the slavery. After the introductory summary , this paper will focus in two specific sections found in the second part of the book: “Religion and Slavery” and “Racial Theory and Slavery”. Lastly, this paper will analyze these two themes used as a justification of African Slavery in early history of America In his book “Defending Slavery”, Finkelman presents a collection of historical documents …show more content…

All of these documents were intended to support the theory that black race was not only different that white race but their origins came from different roots. Cartwright and Nott had similar approach. Their explanation from the biological standpoint was in some point linked to a religious interpretation of then bible. Thus, Cartwright depicts the origin of the three most predominant racial groups on Earth: Asian, Europeans and Blacks. He cites the Book of Genesis with the story of Noah and his three sons nd their settlements in three different geographical areas: North of Europe, Asia and Africa. According to Cartwright’s biblical interpretation, this last continent was occupied by Cannan and his descendents were not only black race but also were designated by God;s will to be servant. Josiah Nott extensively wrote papers about race. His argument were based on a theory known as polygenesis. Nott claimed that there had been multiple creations producing superior and inferior races and black race was destined to permanent inferiority. George Fitzhugh’s sociological opinion about slavery were irrational; he stated that slavery was the most perfect institution ever created In his eyes it is the most perfect institution ever created. Southern slavery is perfect, because like the family dog, slaves are happy to be indolent and cared

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