Slavery Northerners and Southerners - Essay Example

Why was the question of whether slavery was or was not allowed in the new territories and s so important to northerners and southerners? First and foremost, it is important to state the rationale behind the northerners and southerners different position on slavery. Upon the declaration of American independence from Great Britain, it cannot be denied that slavery was prevalent in both parts of United States. Agriculture was the main focus of local governments. Buying and owning slaves was deemed practical for the owners of cotton plantation.

The niggers (black people) were the ones subjected to slavery. In the long run, some of the American people realized the evil of slavery and considered it a sin. The first abolitionist movement was founded in the northern part of America. It was the northerners who first discovered the immoral aspect of slavery and called for its complete abolition. While slavery was dying in the north, the southerners demanded for more slaves. Cotton gin was invented during that time (Burns, n.d.). The device increased the production of cotton as well as the demand for slave labor.

Thus, more and more black people were sold in the southern part. In this context, the southerners feared of economic loss and racial equality if slavery was to be abolished (Burns, n.d.). Southerners believed that black people are meant to work and serve the white people. As new territories and states were formed, the topic on slavery became controversial than ever. Specifically, the question of whether or not slavery was to be allowed in the newly formed states and territories caught both the northerners and southerners attention.

The answer to the query was critical to their respective economic and racial concern. The question bothered the northerners since allowing slavery in the new states would be a disadvantage on their part. Stated otherwise, the legalization of slavery in those states was considered by the northerners as unfair and an economic threat. It was also deemed by them as an insult, a slap to their face by the union. To take note, when slavery was restricted in the north, the northerners searched for another form of livelihood.

They tried industrialization and commercialization. In such case, to allow slavery again would be an injustice. Nonetheless, if slavery would be completely abolished, the northerners will rejoice. Somehow, an economic competition occurred between the north and south due to slavery. Both of them wanted an equal economic outcome. On the southerners’ side, allowing slavery was a sign of economic cooperation and racial supremacy. They believed that extending slavery to the other states would be beneficial to the union and its people.

The southerners seemed uncomfortable of letting go slavery and recognizing the rights of the black people. Actually, it can be stated that abolishing slavery in their territory would be a suicide. Slavery was the main source of labor force in the southern region. In this sense, to consider slavery as illegal in the new states would mean economic demise on their part. They would be losing support from the other states. To the southerners, this loss of support would mean a defeat in the fight for slavery’s continuity and white supremacy.

Reference Burns, K. (n.d.). The civil war - The cause [Episode One]. Retrieved from http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8374525609478249503#