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The Institution Of Slavery And Attitudes Towards It Changed Drastically Throughout The Late 18th And Early 19th Centuries

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Question 1 - The institution of slavery and attitudes towards it changed dramatically in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Describe the changes and explain the various arguments made for and against the expansion of slavery. Who, if anyone, was arguing for abolition and who was defending the institution of slavery? Finally, in your opinion was their room for compromise on the issue of slavery that could have averted conflict? Why or why not?
From as far back as history goes there has been slavery and the sad fact is that even today slavery is still part of society. In the 18th and 19th century the largest movement for abolishing slavery took place. Many notable men in history spoke out against slavery and helped to fuel the fire of the pro-slavery groups. Benjamin Franklin said “Slavery is such an atrocious debasement of human nature, that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous care, may sometimes open a source of serious evils.” (Franklin, 1789) Thomas Jefferson once said, "But, as it is, we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other." (Ford, 1892-1899)
Slavery was a hot topic in political debates as well and a great example was the speech given by Abraham Lincoln, House Divided. Douglas and Lincoln debated many times over popular sovereignty and slavery. George Fitzhugh, a supporter of slavery, wrote: “The negro slaves of the South are the happiest,
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