Fighting fire with fire

Type :

Research papers

Pages :

4 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

04/16/2009

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Linguistics

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Summary :

Introduction
Douglas' first contention: Skin-color and manhood
Dr. Samuel Cartwright and the inferiority of the slaves
The right to liberty
The issue of slave conditions and treatment
Conclusion
Works cited

Abstract

The antebellum viewpoint on slavery remains controversial. Presaging the Civil War, a fierce political debate took place between the Southern defenders of slavery and the Northern abolitionists. The two sides argued over the political, economic, social, religious, biological, and racial implications of slavery. While the Civil War was waged, and won, in large part to put an end to the unacceptable exploitation of human life, it is still worthwhile to analyze both sides of the argument for and against slavery.Frederick Douglas asserted in his antebellum speech "What to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?" that there is no valid reason to justify the existence and belief in slavery. Douglas's claims are questionable and his generalizations are objectionable. So as to analyze the validity of his words and effectiveness of his speech, I will retort Douglas's arguments with the beliefs of Southern defenders slavery. It will become clear that the South was steeped in dubious propaganda that precluded change and nullified Douglas's arguments.