Crucial Years in Terms of Slavery - Research Paper Example

 1830 to 1860 are very crucial years in terms of slavery. This paper discusses three parts 1830-1840, 1840-1850 and 1850-1860. Slavery appeared as a problematic issue in the America. Southerners obtained a number of slaves through slave trade to work on their plantations of cotton, tobacco, rice and so on. Among these plantations, cotton plantations were famous and contained maximum number of slaves. Slaves do not have any human rights and they were only regarded as commodities and properties of slave holders. Slave trade was illegal, but the trade continued to exist till 1860. The people living in North till 1830 were in favor of banning slavery; however, southerners adopted slavery as acceptable as many slave workers were available without any pay. People have hundreds of slaves working on their plantations. The years between 1830 and 1860 can be seen as a transformation of the evil of slavery. The northerners were ready to get rid of it while the southerners because of their own interest were not ready to accept free African Americans. Slaves knew about new laws and amendments passed in their interest and were also aware that leaving the south can make them free. African Americans who were working as slaves started making communities for resisting against their white masters on the plantations and finally, there was a civil war that ended in the abolition in slavery in 1865. Abraham Lincoln’s presidency also supported in the abolition. (1840-1850) Antislavery Society that was formed in 1835 continued to support abolishment of slavery throughout the years 1840-1850, but the southerners continued the trading of slaves. From 1840 to 1850, the issue of slavery got so much fame as a number of events took place that took the attention of authorities. A number of legislations were passed in support of slaves. Slave trade continued to exist and slaves were required to work for 17 to 18 hours per day with very less comfort hours. Slaves had no rights and were not allowed to vote. Slaves supported in the development of America as an industrial and capitalist state with no human living rights. Northerners felt that slavery can be regarded as a mockery on American values and beliefs. Voters in slave holding states regarded slavery as advantageous for the white population in terms of economy and liberty. However, efforts were made to prevent slavery from spreading to new states. Nevertheless, slaves were traded and they did labor on plantations. (1850-1860) The years from 1850 to 1860 are very crucial in terms of abolishing slavery as southerners were under great pressure to free their slaves under certain passed legislations. In 1850s, Kansas-Nebraska Act got passed in 1854 due to which, violence got erupted. This solution was unacceptable for the black slaves as whites had greater rights with continuity of slavery on many territories. Increased ratio of required slaves on cotton plantations increased slave trade and till 1860, there were 4 million slaves. Work on cotton plantations was severe and workers were required to put in extra effort due to which, the workers were punished harshly. Antislavery movements and incidents took place that supported the cause of abolition. The elections in 1860 resulting in the presidency of Abraham Lincoln supported the prevention of slavery in new states. Violence on Blacks got augmented that made Blacks more revolutionary and rebellious against their masters. Blacks were aware of the laws passed in their interest adding to their interest and right of independence. (1830-1840) The years 1830 to 1840 are crucial in terms of southerners as well as for northerners. In Boston, slavery banning newspaper such as Liberator got published and people starting feeling the adversity of slavery for their society. However, in the south, identifying the needs of the agricultural society, southerners starting getting involved in trading of slaves acquiring more than ever slaves for their cotton, tobacco and rice plantations. The south had nearly 250, 000 slaves transported to their land in the lieu of slave trade. Young male slaves were preferred, but by analyzing the benefits of having free slaves, the plantation owners allowed accommodating females as well as males to allow reproduction to have free slaves. The society was north was industrial society while the society of south was agricultural due to which, southerners preferred adopting slavery as agriculture needs hard labor that African Americans slaves could be made to do. They were treated violently and cruelly. Overseers were appointed on them for making them to work. During the period of 1830-1840 slavery proved to be much more effective in producing the grater yield of crops like cotton, tobacco and sugar producing crops. On the other hand, the northern farmers produced effectively small amount. Cheap cotton produced by the slaves, make the investors to invest in the textile factories. The growth of the industry during the period is considerably huge as compared to the other regions. The good produced are inexpensive and produced on mass level. This encouraged the farmers to buy different goods and produce more yield. Thus slavery affected the economic life of the Americans (Morgan 49). Social and political change followed the economic change in the region. As the laws about the slavery reformed, voting rights are also reformed. Religious perspectives were taken to support the rights. However, most southern belied that religions only deal with the personal salvation not with the economic or social factors. New England Anti-slavery society that was founded by a group anti slavery socialists in 1831 faced an immense opposition by the some white Bay States. On the other hand, the anti slavery movements continued to work and other anti slavery societies began to emerge. In 1835, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society was founded that supported the slavery free state. Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society raised funds from the similar minded citizens and publically published publications, held public speeches and concerts to end the slavery in a peaceful manner (Schneider & Schneider 96). Despite the anti slavery campaigns, the population of the slaves increased to four million in just two generation from 800 thousand, which depicted that the number of slaves increased with the passage of time instead of decreasing. In the beginning of 1840, a series of events with respect to slavery happened. The group of people who are in favor of slavery presented the economic benefits of the slavery while the people supporting the anti slavery agenda took the social and religious equality stance to support their point of view (Tise 113). During 1840s, a question was raised whether to spread the slavery to newer territories of not. The question was raised by westward expansion. Many people vote in favor of the slavery having the point that it would be difficult for the region to economically progress without slavery. Slaves were more adopted in the south in place of north because by becoming more industrialized; some of the northerners started becoming supportive of abolishing slavery. Some slaves identifying the hardships of being slaves made them to revolt due to which, other slaves got severe punishments. Antislavery Society got founded in 1835 and started publishing about slavery and antislavery. This society was formed in the north, but the southerners were not ready for discussing slavery and its abolishment as they were worried about their income and land. Slave trade continued to get enlarged in the years 1830 to 1840 by trading many hundreds of slaves to the south for serving as labor force on the plantations. The time between 1830 and 1860 is crucial in terms of continuity and abolishment of slavery in the America. Northerners had an industrial society that motivated them to eradicate slavery, however, southerners being agricultural accepted slavery as it was advantageous for them. Slave trade got boosted in southern region while it got shunned in north. Many events took place that led to the eradication of slavery. Violence towards black slaves because of their unwillingness to work and rebelling along with the backing of northerners and other people who opposed slavery led to passing amendments regarding antislavery. The presidency of Abraham Lincoln also added to passing the legislation regarding abolishing slavery. Works Cited Morgan, Kenneth. Slavery in America. University of Georgia Press, 2005. Schneider, Dorothy, and Carl J. Schneider. Slavery in America. Infobase Publishing, 2007. Tise, Larry E. Proslavery: A History of the Defense of Slavery in America, 1701-1840. University of Georgia Press, 2004. Read More