Thomas Morgan Slavery And Freedom

Slavery has been seen as the exception for centuries, but should it be considered an exception when ⅕ of the population held slaves(Morgan 121)? Many historians believed slavery was not an exception either. Morgan states in his essay “Slavery and Freedom: The American Paradox”, American freedom and slavery should be considered together because they developed off each other. The development of slavery; joined with the rise of liberty and equality, formed a natural paradox in American history (Morgan 121).
To begin, blacks are equally credited to America’s development as the white are. Generally speaking, due to slave labor, “America bought their independence” (Morgan 122). This is the first of many paradoxical events. How can America buy independence? In simpler terms, the government strengthened due to slavery. Through slave trade, the government was able to figure out a way to sustain a colony. With slaves able to produce the crops especially tobacco, America did not have to rely as strongly on other countries (Morgan 122). Though Colonial America gained independence, the slaves were deprived of any independence and forced to abide by someone else. Thomas Jefferson believed the government did not have the means to grant anyone freedom, it emerged from the sole independence of self.
Each of them held slaves and were not extremely fond of the idea of black freedom. These men derived from Virginia where 40% of all American slaves resided (Morgan 122). Thomas Jefferson held important views on freedom. He believed freedom unfolded when a man was not dependent on another for wealth; this meant being a landowner. He believed debt; dependence on another person hindered the development of liberty. Jefferson felt debt would develop tyranny (Morgan 124). This is another example of how Slavery and freedom are