Changing Attitudes Toward Slavery

Definition

Changing attitudes toward slavery refer to the evolving perceptions and beliefs about the institution of slavery throughout American history, particularly in the 19th century. These shifts were influenced by various factors including economic interests, moral arguments, political debates, and regional differences. As abolitionist movements gained momentum, the contrast between the North and South intensified, leading to significant political divisions and contributing to tensions that would eventually culminate in the Civil War.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The abolitionist movement grew in strength in the 1830s and 1840s, fueled by moral arguments against slavery and highlighting its inhumanity.
2. Public opinion in the North began to shift toward opposition to slavery due to literature like Uncle Tom's Cabin, which portrayed the brutal realities of enslaved life.
3. In contrast, Southern attitudes largely remained supportive of slavery, viewing it as essential for their agricultural economy and social structure.
4. The debate over slavery was a central issue during the 1850s, influencing major political events such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act and leading to violent conflicts known as 'Bleeding Kansas.'
5. By the time of the Civil War, attitudes toward slavery had polarized Americans into pro-slavery and anti-slavery camps, affecting everything from politics to culture.

Review Questions

• How did abolitionist movements contribute to changing attitudes toward slavery in America?
  • Abolitionist movements played a crucial role in changing attitudes toward slavery by raising awareness of its moral implications. Activists used literature, speeches, and public campaigns to highlight the brutal realities faced by enslaved individuals. These efforts galvanized public opinion in the North against slavery, creating a stark contrast with Southern defenses of the institution. This growing opposition helped to fuel political tensions that ultimately led to conflict.
• Discuss how legislative actions, such as the Fugitive Slave Act and the Compromise of 1850, reflected the changing attitudes toward slavery during this period.
  • Legislative actions like the Fugitive Slave Act and the Compromise of 1850 were responses to shifting attitudes toward slavery and showcased the deepening divide between North and South. The Fugitive Slave Act aimed to appease Southern slaveholders by enforcing stricter laws on escaped slaves, but it also intensified Northern opposition when citizens resisted enforcement. The Compromise of 1850 attempted to balance interests but ultimately highlighted how both sides had entrenched views that were increasingly irreconcilable.
• Evaluate the impact of changing attitudes toward slavery on the political landscape leading up to the Civil War.
  • Changing attitudes toward slavery significantly reshaped the political landscape leading up to the Civil War by exacerbating existing divisions between free and slave states. As anti-slavery sentiments grew in the North, new political parties emerged, such as the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. These shifts led to increased sectional conflict, culminating in violent confrontations and a breakdown of national unity. This polarization ultimately set the stage for a full-blown civil conflict over the future of slavery in America.

Related terms

Abolitionism:

A social and political movement aimed at ending slavery and promoting the emancipation of enslaved people, gaining strength in the early 19th century.

Fugitive Slave Act:

Laws that required the return of escaped enslaved people to their owners, which heightened tensions between Northern states and Southern slaveholders.

Compromise of 1850: A package of five bills aimed at resolving disputes over slavery in newly acquired territories, reflecting the growing divide between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.