Why Did Americans Fail to Resolve Their Differences

1 Why Did Americans Fail to Resolve Their Differences Over Slavery Peacefully? What Made the Issue So Difficult? Harvard University Throughout history, both the institution of slavery and the trafficking of persons have persisted as widespread activities, and both of these activities continue to this day. People who are economically disadvantaged and less wealthy are frequently considered to be enslaved. Specifically, this is because enslavers are more prone to take advantage of them. The bulk of decisions about the people who are enslaved are made by their masters, who have a variety of motives for obtaining people as enslaved people under their authority. These masters are responsible for creating the majority of the decisions. The nineteenth century was marked by widespread slavery, particularly in the United States, which was the destination of a large number of enslaved Africans imported to the United States as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. During the entirety of this period, the processes of industrialization and mechanization were growing at a tremendous speed. The agriculture and industrial sectors have begun production on a massive scale. This is something that has occurred in both of these sectors. As a direct result of this, the United States of America purchased enslaved people to employ them as low-cost labor in agricultural ventures and commercial enterprises. During the years following World War One, the rise of civilization, and the articulation of human rights, a considerable amount of effort was put forth to challenge the system of slavery. Nations have been requested to compensate them with reparations (also known as compensation) to make amends for the wrongs committed against enslaved people (Corbett et al. 3). The responses of various countries have been characterized by their distinct methods. The objective 2 of this research is to investigate why the United States of America was unable to resolve its disagreements on slavery in peaceful ways. In addition to examining the factors that led to the issue's complexity, this research will also investigate why the issue was so complicated. Historically speaking, the southern states of the United States of America were most known for their association with the institution of slavery. Beginning in the year 1700, the United States of America was the place where the institution of slavery was established. This event occurred at the same time that civil disputes began to emerge. Enslaved people were used to carrying out the chores linked with farming by those who lived in the southern regions, such as Texas and New Orleans. These people were also involved in significant agricultural operations, and they relied on enslaved people to carry out these tasks. Due to the massive construction of their commercial infrastructure, these states attained preeminent economic power in the entire northern region of the United States. The possession of an enslaved person was regarded as a symbol of pride and productivity by the state. As a result of this accomplishment, the owner was accorded respect by the state (Corbett et al. 8). The rapid expansion of the slave trade was a direct result of the fact that a large number of individuals were willing to spend a considerable amount of money in order to acquire an enslaved person. It was this readiness that served as the impetus for the human trafficking industry. During the historical period that is traditionally referred to as the antebellum period, most property owners in southern America engaged in the cultivation of tobacco and Carolina rice. Up to the time that cotton was invented, this pattern remained in place. The United States of America and the United Kingdom both experienced increased demand for cotton in their respective textile industries. As a result, it was essential to purchase additional enslaved people 3 to address the situation (Corbett et al. 11). The occurrence happened over the nineteenth century. However, it was most prominently observed during the Industrial Revolution. Considering the current events, it is indisputable that the people of the United States could perform their jobs. Conversely, the issue originates from the fact that they want to deal with relatively inexpensive people. Slavery of persons of other races, mainly Africans, was encouraged by the racial identification of citizens of the United States of America. This was the primary motivation behind the practice. As a result of the fact that they were seen as being of a lower quality, the compensation that was offered to them was only sufficient to fulfil the fundamental demand of ensuring their survival. Legislation was enacted in the United States of America in the year 1808 that made it unlawful to bring enslaved people into the country from other countries. At the same time, however, the law did not prohibit the internal trade of enslaved people within the country (Corbbet et al. 5). The beginning of the movement to end slavery is generally regarded as having occurred at this historic event. The domestic slave trade was initiated by the practice of individuals engaging in the sale of their enslaved folks. This behaviour was the incentive for the establishment of the enterprise. Additionally, the market for cash crops, such as tobacco, declined during this period, requiring much manual effort. This resulted in most slaveholders being compelled to free the individuals held in their possession. This was a result of the circumstances that had occurred. The decision to make this choice was taken to reduce the expenses that are associated with the provision of food, clothes, and housing for vulnerable populations (Corbett et al. 17). The vast majority of African Americans who are currently residing in the United States are located in areas that were formed by migrations that took place within the country throughout the years when slavery was in effect. 4 The ban on the exchange of enslaved people across international borders also inspired a comprehensive abolition of the slave trade. This was one of the things that drove the movement. This is a result of the fact that it made the possibility of appealing based on the therapies that they were now undergoing very evident to them. Additionally, as a result of the fall in agricultural production, a significant number of enslaved people were left idle, which motivated a number of their owners to initiate the process of emancipating their slaves. This was not the only consequence of the decrease in agricultural production. A sizeable number of abolitionists sprang from the states in the North to persuade the people living in the South to liberate their slaves. These were the key reasons that drove them to put forth their efforts. There was a divide that resulted from this, which in turn led to the formation of two distinct groups: those who advocated for the abolition of slavery and those who enslaved people. Only power can explain the opposition to abolition; no explanation can account for it. The ability to exercise control over an enslaved person bestowed upon the owner a significant amount of authority and influence within the government (Corbett et al. 13). Therefore, the loss of these things would result in a loss of control, which would then result in a loss of drive to combat resistance, which would lead to the loss of control. Another aspect that contributed to the beginning of the movement to abolish the institution of slavery was the spread of Christianity at the time of the Great Awakening. The gospel exhorts people to love one another and pursue freedom, both derived from the individual salvation built on the individual's decision. A challenge was presented to the owners of enslaved people as a result of the fact that the teachings of the new religion demanded that their slaves be released (Corbett et al. 19). Furthermore, the general acceptance and implementation of the message, even among some enslavers, was a barrier that made the situation far more challenging. 5 This was a significant obstacle. The abolitionist movement was strengthened even further, which ultimately resulted in the slavery trade gradually decreasing over time. Even though the situation was already quite terrible, the passage of the Fugitive Act made it even more dire than it previously was. When this piece of legislation was passed, it specified that anyone who was found to be harboring fugitive slaves would be subject to severe monetary fines in addition to other forms of punishment (Corbett et al. 22). Because of this, it became more challenging for the religious group and the abolitionists to achieve the goals that they had set for themselves. Because of the power dynamics that existed between them, the Americans were ultimately unable to address their concerns regarding slavery fully. This was the fact that ultimately led to their failure. Abolitionists desired to abolish slavery because of the degrading nature of the system, while enslavers wanted to maintain their power and prestige. Enslavers wanted to keep their authority and prestige with them. The most challenging aspect of the scenario was the fact that the economy was dependent on the slave trade and that the Fugitive Act, which prohibited anybody from harboring escaped enslaved people, was put into place. Both of these factors made the situation more complicated.