Running head: A Comparative Analysis of Slavery 1

A Comparative Analysis of Slavery

name

Excelsior College

Author Note

This paper was prepared for United States Civil War, taught by Dr. Stewart Bennett
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Abstract

Questions I must address in this paper:

1. What are the points of agreement and disagreement between the two authors, Stanley
Elkins and James McPherson, concerning the institution of slavery?
2. Specifically, what influence did institutions like the church have on the character of
American slavery?
3. How much control did the masters have over their slaves? Did the slaves exercise any
autonomy over their own lives?
4. Did American devotion to limited government and laissez faire capitalism ameliorate the
brutality of slavery?
5. What evidence does each author use to support his arguments, and is the evidence
anecdotal or quantifiable?
6. Which author more accurately describes antebellum American slavery? Why?
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A Comparative Analysis of Slavery

Many scholars debate the merits of the Civil War and its effects in shaping the

country. Slavery in the United States remains a topic of debate. This paper will analyze

the different views on slavery and other central issues of United States Civil War based

on James McPherson's interpretation in “Ordeal by Fire and Stanley Elkins’ “Slavery”.

Similarities and Differences

McPherson describes slavery in America as less harsh than in other areas of the

world. McPherson (2010) would state, “slavery in the United States operated with less

physical harshness than in most other parts of the Western Hemisphere…. Brazilian

coffee plantations, life was indeed nasty, brutish, and short. Climatic conditions and

disease took a higher toll of black lives there than in North America” (p. 40). McPherson

(2010) strengthens his argument within the slave trade ended in 1808. It would be in the

slave master’s best interest to take better care of their slaves and support natural

production. By supporting better treatment of slaves he would increase his numbers. As

described by a former slave "his master “fed us reg’lar on good, ‘stantial food, just like

you’d tend to you hoss, if you had a real good one.”" (McPherson, 2010, p. 40)

However, Elkins (1972) book states the Brazilian slave system the “mildest” in

the Western Hemisphere (p.3084) because of physical treatment of slaves. No modern

study had yet been made and this could be viewed as generalization. Elkins (1972) did

make note that “masters were liable to punishment for abusing their slaves” (p.3904).

This was not the case for slave owners in America.

Elkins (1972) did not share the same views regarding the abolitionists who

opposed slavery. They are criticized for being “moralistic, fanatical, uncompromising,
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vituperative” (p.3418). Elkin (1972) suggests that antislavery advocates should support

“bringing the slave into the Christian fold and under the eye of the church . . . insisting

that he be offered a spiritual life marked by dignity and be given instruction in Christian

morality” (p.2570). However based upon his research, he knew the slave masters

would not allow this to happen. McPherson (2010) does not criticize the abolitionist. He

presents the facts and explains the abolition versus colonization of newly freed slaves

(p.45). Neither solution resulted in the slaves being brought into the “Christian fold”, as

suggested by Elkins.

McPherson (2010) does describe the rise of “militant abolitionism” (McPherson

45). The Calvinists of the North led this movement to end slavery. Great Awakening had

many charismatic leaders and one of the principal preachers was Charles Grandison

Finney (pg.45). They opposed the colonization of slaves and thought it was a proslavery

trick, instead they sought for freedom, “no compromise with slavery, they insisted; one

does not compromise with sin, one vanquishes it (McPherson 45).

American Slavery and the Church

The Church historically protects those who are less fortunate. Elkins compares

the institution of slavery in the United States to other countries. The church, particularly

the Catholic Church would usually extend its moral authority over men of every

condition including slavery. Elkins (1959, p.963) explains slaves in Latin American

understood their relationship to “church, crown, and plantation agriculture”. They were

able to work within the “open system”, a system which allowed the slaves to live a

happier existence (p.1051).

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McPherson (2010) would acknowledge slavery was an institution based on

human beings well as an economic and legal one. Slave owners would not take their

slaves to church with them. However, the slaves were giving permission to create a

“cultural institution”. Natural leaders in the slave quarters would become preachers.

We see the formation of the “invisible institution” of the black church, whose

congregations worshipped apart from, whites (sometimes secretly) in spite of laws to

the contrary (p. 38).

Autonomy and the American Slave

Elkins (1972) would describe the personal relationship between master and

slave. The master has "absolute power" over his slave’s body. The laws of the country

were being created to support this view. Slaves were considered property, thus an

owner could do as he wishes with his property. The family that a slave created held no

integrity and could be ignored. They held no rights and "were deprived of any legal and

moral standing" (p. 650). McPherson (2010) would describe the slave master having

great power over his slaves. The slave master held the power to buy and sale, to

“punish without sanction of the courts”. He could rape, sexual exploit and kill with little

to no interference of the legal system. The owner may allow the slave to purchase their

freedom, however, in most southern states, the slave to leave after he was set free

(p.38).

Limited Government and Brutality of Slavery

The Southern economy grew. The “growing of the staple crops” dominated the

world market. “Four-fifths of all colonial exports came from the South” (McPherson,

1972, p.29), as the economy boomed, half of the workforce was slaves. The
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government did not interfere with this industry as “King Cotton” ruled the American

economy. McPherson (2010) points out that the South plantation agriculture was a

profitable enterprise (p.30). With the economy growing, most Americans turned a blind

eye to slavery. Lincoln would remark that slaves were, “fatally fixed in that condition for

life” (McPherson, 2010, p. 50). The use of free labor brought significant wealth and

power to a small group of men. Slavery and capitalism were “irreconcilable”. While

some opposed the expansion of slavery others took a proslavery view. It was described

as a necessary evil. The “cotton kingdom” based its economy on slavery and fought to

protect it.

Elkins (1972) discusses in the dynamics of unopposed capitalism the rise in the

slave population and the “capitalist planter” (p.624). He notes only a man of means

could afford to think of “capitalized earning power” by using Negro slaves. Elkins (1972)

states “The emergent institution of slavery was in effect unchallenged by any other

institutions” (p.666). Society would allow for a slave to be beaten by its master and in

some cases death. While death of a slave was punishable, in some situations it was

not applied to the white society (p.726). Slaves were considered property, “a slave is in

absolute bondage; he has no civil rights, and can hold no property” (Elkins, 1972, p.758).

In this environment the economic would flourish as few people sought to end slavery.

Arguments and Support

McPherson (2010) supports his argument with quantifiable information; an

example would the “King Cotton” with tables (pg. 28) within the book highlights the
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financial impact of slavery in America. He takes into account the financial climate in the

South due to plantation agriculture and explains why the South would fight to keep

slavery alive. McPherson (2010) would explain that that the South spurned criticism

and squash internal dissent (pg.52).

Elkins (1972) uses anecdotal and quantifiable information to support some of his

thoughts. He writes of the agricultural laborers coming to the colonies were white

indentured servants. However, the Negroes were seen as “servants” (p.537). He

continues by pointing out the changes in America is the 1660’s which led to laws in the

colonies where black skin would equal “slave” (p.552). Elkins (1972) would also

reference the works of others such as Oscar and Mary Handlin when stating his case

regarding slavery.

Antebellum American Slavery

McPherson (2010) describes antebellum American slavery clearly to the reader.

He provides context in which to understand his work. Elkins (1972) work seemed

more subjective. He made use of psychological reasons to support slavery rather than

base his opinion on facts. The link he made between slavery and Nazi concentration

camps were interesting. However, I did not see the relationship, as the Nazis look to

alienate an entire race and the supporters of slavery looked to gain greater economic

profits.

Elkins (1972) suggests that the “Sambo” stereotype was real on the plantation;

“to impeach Sambo’s legitimacy in this way is the next thing to talking him out of
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existence”. His belief in a stereotype that was not based on any scientific evidence

leads to credibility issues (p.1071).

In the final analysis, McPherson presents the facts of the Civil War. He explains

the influence of the Southern economy in the antebellum South. A large number of

“college presidents and professors” were in fact from the North and living in the South.

He explains ideas which make it easier for the reader to grasp. Elkins, (1972) at times

use conjecture when writing about the antebellum American slavery environment and

the black slave. His description of the “typical” slave, as “docile but irresponsible, loyal

but lazy humble but chronically given to lying and stealing; his behavior was full of

infantile silliness and his talk inflated with childish exaggeration” (p. 1057) was not

rooted in reality. His style of writing and the constant comparison of slavery in America

and other countries makes it harder for the reader to follow.

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References

Elkins, Stanley. (1972). Slavery: A problem in American institutional and intellectual life.

University of Chicago Press, Third Revised Edition.

McPherson, James M. & James K. Hogue. (2010). Ordeal by fire: The civil war and

reconstruction, McGraw-Hill, Fourth Edition.

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Tables

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