The roots of society
ApUSH 6th period
THE ROOTS OF SOCIETY
Frederick Douglass Essay
Maria Rodriguez
11/22/2013
In the narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, the author refutes his argument of anti slavery in comparison to George Fitzhugh’s pro slavery argument by demonstrating the social hardship brought upon slaves. He attacks the argument of George Fitzhugh that states, the life of a slave is far more luxurious than that of a free laborer’s, and that a slave is happy and content to be serving such people who are deserving of their honor. The mental and physical hardships that Douglas experiences during his lifetime, underline the true nature of slavery, and exemplify the need for a non slave holding society. However, Fitzhugh does explain the economical benefits through slavery, to which Douglass has no knowledge of. With this, Fitzhugh takes a slight advantage within his argument and persuades the reader, to look past the social effects, and to look at the broad view of the issue, to which it can benefit all of society, while only harming the minorities, the African Americans.
Fitzhugh completely disregards the abuses and maltreatment of the slaves when he states that the free laborer has a harder life than a slave. Either he ignores this fact, or he is simply ignorant of it. “The world at large looks on negro slavery as much the worst form of slavery; because it is only acquainted with West India slavery. But our Southern slavery has become a benign and protective institution, and our negroes are confessedly better off than any free laboring population in the world.” Fitzhugh is convinced of himself that slavery works in society, and should be an accepted norm. He essentially believed that slavery was beneficial for the African Americans and he did not see any aspect of slavery as wrong. There is no pleasure coming from the work, slaves produce. The slaves have adapted, and know that obedience and compliance is the only way to survive with a harsh master,
THE ROOTS OF SOCIETY
Frederick Douglass Essay
Maria Rodriguez
11/22/2013
In the narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, the author refutes his argument of anti slavery in comparison to George Fitzhugh’s pro slavery argument by demonstrating the social hardship brought upon slaves. He attacks the argument of George Fitzhugh that states, the life of a slave is far more luxurious than that of a free laborer’s, and that a slave is happy and content to be serving such people who are deserving of their honor. The mental and physical hardships that Douglas experiences during his lifetime, underline the true nature of slavery, and exemplify the need for a non slave holding society. However, Fitzhugh does explain the economical benefits through slavery, to which Douglass has no knowledge of. With this, Fitzhugh takes a slight advantage within his argument and persuades the reader, to look past the social effects, and to look at the broad view of the issue, to which it can benefit all of society, while only harming the minorities, the African Americans.
Fitzhugh completely disregards the abuses and maltreatment of the slaves when he states that the free laborer has a harder life than a slave. Either he ignores this fact, or he is simply ignorant of it. “The world at large looks on negro slavery as much the worst form of slavery; because it is only acquainted with West India slavery. But our Southern slavery has become a benign and protective institution, and our negroes are confessedly better off than any free laboring population in the world.” Fitzhugh is convinced of himself that slavery works in society, and should be an accepted norm. He essentially believed that slavery was beneficial for the African Americans and he did not see any aspect of slavery as wrong. There is no pleasure coming from the work, slaves produce. The slaves have adapted, and know that obedience and compliance is the only way to survive with a harsh master,