Complete this assignment using a single Microsoft Word, or a compatible word processor, file with Times New Roman, 12-point font. Save the file to your computer as "yourname_PSA2." (Example: Saban_PSA2)
Two views of slavery:
1st, download the two files linked above.
The first file is an excerpt from the writings of George Fitzhugh, a famous antebellum southern intellectual, in which he responds to the abolitionist attacks on slavery. In a couple of paragraphs, sum up and analyze his logic and argument. What does it tell us about how deluded white southerners had become about slavery? Also, do you notice him make a point that actually undermines his argument without him seeming to realize it?
Once slave owners began to respond like this to abolitionists, the abolitionist ramped up their publications to prove their points, the most effective of which were more and more memoirs from runaway slaves. The second linked file is an excerpt from one of them, in which Josiah Henson describes the biggest memory from his childhood. In a couple of paragraphs, sum up the events he explains, focusing on how it helps illustrate some of the points from our class lecture on Antebellum slavery.
Lastly, having read this two different perspectives on slavery, I would like to hear your thoughts and reflections on these two documents. You can go in any direction with this that you'd like, but focus on your personal thoughts.
Once you have finished the assignment, click the P.S.A. #2 link above, and attach your file by using the "attach files" link.
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Respuesta :

In George Fitzhugh’s excerpt, he presents a defense of slavery by arguing that it is a natural and beneficial institution for both slaves and slaveholders. He contends that slaves are better off under the care of benevolent masters who provide for their needs, rather than being left to fend for themselves in a free society. Fitzhugh asserts that slavery is a form of paternalism, where the master acts as a father figure to the slaves, guiding and protecting them.

However, Fitzhugh’s logic and argument reveal the delusion of white southerners about slavery. He portrays slavery as a benevolent and mutually beneficial arrangement, completely ignoring the brutal realities of slave labor and exploitation. Fitzhugh fails to recognize the inherent injustice and immorality of treating human beings as property.

Interestingly, Fitzhugh inadvertently undermines his argument when he acknowledges that slavery is a form of dependency, stating that slaves are like children who need guidance and supervision. This comparison highlights the inherent power imbalance in the master-slave relationship and undermines Fitzhugh’s assertion that slavery is a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Turning to Josiah Henson’s excerpt, he describes a traumatic childhood memory of being separated from his mother by a slave trader. This event illustrates the cruelty and inhumanity of the slave trade, where families were torn apart and individuals were treated as commodities. Henson’s account serves as a powerful reminder of the dehumanizing effects of slavery and the lasting trauma it inflicted on enslaved individuals.

Reflecting on these two perspectives on slavery, it is evident that Fitzhugh’s defense of slavery is deeply flawed and rooted in a distorted worldview that perpetuated the oppression of enslaved people. In contrast, Henson’s firsthand account provides a poignant glimpse into the harsh realities of antebellum slavery and underscores the urgent need for abolition. These documents highlight the importance of confronting the uncomfortable truths of history and acknowledging the enduring legacy of slavery in shaping American society.


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