Slavery

Definition

Slavery is a system in which individuals are legally owned by others and forced to work without pay. This institution has existed in various forms throughout history, often characterized by the dehumanization of those enslaved and the economic benefits gained by slave owners. In the context of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, slavery was a deeply contentious issue that highlighted the moral and political divisions within the United States, particularly between free and slave states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Lincoln-Douglas debates were centered around the issue of slavery, with Douglas advocating for popular sovereignty while Lincoln argued against the expansion of slavery into new territories.
2. The debates took place during a time of rising tensions over slavery, which was contributing to sectional conflicts between the North and South in the U.S.
3. Lincoln's position emphasized the moral opposition to slavery, while Douglas's stance focused on states' rights and the idea that territories should decide for themselves whether to allow slavery.
4. The outcome of these debates helped solidify Lincoln's position as a national leader and brought significant attention to the growing abolitionist sentiment in America.
5. The debates foreshadowed larger national conflicts that would eventually lead to the Civil War, as they highlighted the deep divisions over slavery in American society.

Review Questions

• How did the Lincoln-Douglas debates shape public perception of slavery during the late 1850s?
  • The Lincoln-Douglas debates played a significant role in shaping public perception of slavery by bringing national attention to the conflicting views surrounding this issue. Through their discussions, Lincoln's moral arguments against the expansion of slavery contrasted sharply with Douglas's support for popular sovereignty. This exposure not only educated citizens about the moral implications of slavery but also highlighted the growing divide between pro-slavery and anti-slavery sentiments across the nation.
• Analyze how popular sovereignty, as advocated by Stephen Douglas, attempted to address the issue of slavery and its implications for statehood.
  • Stephen Douglas's advocacy for popular sovereignty proposed that the residents of territories should decide whether to allow slavery when applying for statehood. This approach aimed to resolve conflicts by leaving the decision in the hands of local settlers rather than imposing federal mandates. However, this solution often led to violence and unrest, exemplified by events like 'Bleeding Kansas,' as pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions clashed over control of new territories, ultimately failing to create lasting peace regarding slavery in America.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Lincoln-Douglas debates on the abolitionist movement and subsequent events leading up to the Civil War.
  • The Lincoln-Douglas debates had significant long-term impacts on the abolitionist movement by invigorating anti-slavery sentiment across the country. Lincoln's articulate arguments against slavery rallied support for abolitionism and positioned him as a leader committed to ending slavery. This heightened awareness contributed to rising tensions that ultimately culminated in the Civil War, as it made clear that compromise on issues related to slavery was becoming increasingly untenable, leading both abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates to adopt more extreme positions.

Related terms

Abolitionism: A movement to end slavery and promote the rights of enslaved people, advocating for emancipation and equality.

Missouri Compromise: An agreement passed in 1820 that allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, attempting to maintain a balance between free and slave states.

Dred Scott Decision:

A landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1857 that denied citizenship to African Americans and ruled that Congress could not regulate slavery in the territories.