Slavery began as a method to generate workers for the plantations in the New World. However, it only created hundreds of years of abuse. Europeans toke millions of Africans from their homes and families and were then forced to work hard labor with grave punishments. Slavery affected everyone, from the masters whose morality became dirtied, to the slaves themselves who were stuck in a system that only brought them pain. Slavery needed to be abolished.
Being around slavery caused people to relent to its malice. When Frederick Douglas switched owners, he became the slave of a woman, Mrs. Auld, who had never owned slaves before. Her “cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet accord, …show more content…
George Fitzhugh, an advocate for slavery, believed a slave “would become an insufferable burden to society. Society has the right to prevent this, and only can do so by subjecting to domestic slavery.” He thought that slavery was the only thing a slave could accomplish, as if they would be unable to do anything else. Slaves would hinder society with their uselessness, and therefore should benefit society by working at plantations. However, Frederick Douglas, a former slave, went against this belief. After giving a speech about the abolition of slavery, Douglas reflected, “I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom, and said what I desired with considerable ease. From that time until now, I have been engaged in pleading the cause of my brethren—with what success, and with what devotion, I leave those acquainted with my labors to decide” (Douglass 69). Douglas eloquently gave an unprepared speech, and continued to fight for the freedom of slaves through similar means. Having been a former slave, Douglas would know the limit of his ability, but he went beyond the ability of working on a plantation to become an advocate himself against slavery. Creating and presenting a speech, and continuing in similar efforts, requires more skill and ability than what Fitzhugh believed was possible of a
Being around slavery caused people to relent to its malice. When Frederick Douglas switched owners, he became the slave of a woman, Mrs. Auld, who had never owned slaves before. Her “cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet accord, …show more content…
George Fitzhugh, an advocate for slavery, believed a slave “would become an insufferable burden to society. Society has the right to prevent this, and only can do so by subjecting to domestic slavery.” He thought that slavery was the only thing a slave could accomplish, as if they would be unable to do anything else. Slaves would hinder society with their uselessness, and therefore should benefit society by working at plantations. However, Frederick Douglas, a former slave, went against this belief. After giving a speech about the abolition of slavery, Douglas reflected, “I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom, and said what I desired with considerable ease. From that time until now, I have been engaged in pleading the cause of my brethren—with what success, and with what devotion, I leave those acquainted with my labors to decide” (Douglass 69). Douglas eloquently gave an unprepared speech, and continued to fight for the freedom of slaves through similar means. Having been a former slave, Douglas would know the limit of his ability, but he went beyond the ability of working on a plantation to become an advocate himself against slavery. Creating and presenting a speech, and continuing in similar efforts, requires more skill and ability than what Fitzhugh believed was possible of a