Chapter 17 Essay Questions

1. In what ways were cotton production and slavery more a burden to the South than a benefit?

2. Why was the proposal for colonizing blacks back to Africa attractive to many whites, even as late as the onset of the Civil War?

3. Write your definition of extremism. Then use this definition to argue that abolitionists were or were not extremists when they undertook to abolish slavery.

4. Write your definition of cruelty. Then use this definition to argue that slavery was or was not an exceptionally cruel institution.

5. What would be your view on slavery if you had been a typical

a. planter aristocrat

b. small slaveowner

c.nonslaveowning white

d. mountain southerner

e. free black

6. Assume the role of a southern slave. Describe what life is like for you. What experiences have you had, what have you seen happen, what emotions have you felt, and what do you believe and value?

7. Explain why the "gag resolution" symbolized the threat that slavery constituted for all Americans, North and South.

8. It was argued by some that the slaves were better off than both wage earners in northern industry and free blacks back in Africa. Do you agree? Why or why not?

9. Elaborate on the text authors’ comment that with the invention of the cotton gin, "the slave [wasl chained to the gin and the planter to the slave."

10. The authors observe that "white southerners.., liked the black as an individual but despised the race. The white northerner ... often professed to like the race but disliked individual blacks." From what you know of the life of free blacks and slaves, do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

11. Did extreme abolitionists do more harm than good? In what way? How would you have solved the slavery problem?

12. It has been argued that both England and the North were tied to the South with "cotton threads." Explain.