By the time of the Civil War in 1861, slavery had existed as an institution of American life for almost as long as the United States has existed as an independent nation—about 250 years. OneĀ of the major turning points in the history of American slavery was the Revolution. Slavery expanded in countless ways after the Revolution. One of the great ironies of the Revolution—the great cause of liberty, equality, and freedom—was that it strengthened rather than diminished the power of slaveholders. Between 1775 and 1861, slavery changed in numerous ways and became a central and deeply entrenched feature of American political, social, and economic life. In fact, by the time of the Civil War, slavery was not onlyĀ theĀ foundation of Southern society, but a foundational element of the Market Revolution and US economic growthĀ during the antebellum period.Ā
Complete each task below to receive full points on this discussion assignment:
TASK 1:Ā Read/review Chapter 11 ofĀ The American YawpĀ ANDĀ theĀ “SlaveryReadings”Ā Download “SlaveryReadings”PDF.
TASK 2:Ā Post aĀ 500- to 600-wordĀ response to the discussion question:Ā What were some of the key features of slavery before the Civil War?
A.Ā Based on your readings, identify and describeĀ twoĀ major aspects of slavery before theĀ Civil War and explain why these aspects were of fundamental importance to antebellum slavery.Ā
B.Ā Include a short quotation—with a corresponding parenthetical citation—fromĀ Give Me Liberty!Ā or one of the articles from theĀ “SlaveryReadings”
