Frederick Douglas

            
             Slavery was a prominent practice in the United States until 1866 when it was abolished. This practice caused turmoil throughout the United States because of the controversial actions that were taken against the slaves. The mentality of the southern pro-slavery sympathizers was one of acceptance and validation of the slavery system while the abolitionists were strongly against the system. Many excellent arguments were made for both sides of the controversial issue none of which proved to be a solution for all parties involved. Although slavery in the south was vital to the economy and culturally accepted, it was a dehumanizing imprisonment of blacks. .
             The south was dependent on slavery. The economy was reliant of the labor which was provided, while the southern slave holders themselves enjoyed the feeling of power over another human being. With the invention of the Cotton Gin by the southern cotton suppliers became even more dependent upon the slave system. George Fitzhugh in his defense for slavery attacked free society claiming it left the working classes exploitable without institutional support or defense. George Fitzhugh argued slaves had a better situation that did free workers in the north or elsewhere. (Huggins) Other slavery supporters argued the entire economy of the south would be destroyed if slaves were abolished. Even though somewhat truthful, this argument was an overstatement of the consequences that would have occurred during the rebuilding period of the antebellum south. Because the south was so dependent on the cotton industry it was industrially deficient, on the other hand the abolition of slavery would force the south to become more industrial. In time this would create a stronger southern economy that was more efficient and well rounded, much like the north.
             The southern slave holders felt they were doing the slaves a service by giving them boundaries in which they can operate.