What To Do About Slavery?

During the first half of the 19th century, the question of what to do regarding the institution of slavery became increasingly controversial to Americans. Multiple factions appeared, arguing for different objectives. One argued the benefits of slavery were such that it should be allowed to expand westward with as little restraint as possible. Another believed in a gradual form of emancipation, with compensation for slaveowners and return of the ex-slaves to Africa. And yet a third group demanded immediate and complete abolition of slavery, without compensation or other conditions. For this writing assignment, select one of these three responses to the slavery question, identify the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach, and then evaluate what the long-term results of its adoption would have been. Note: to complete this assignment, you must try to forget the fact that the Civil War happened and abolished slavery. For Americans of this period, that hadn’t happened yet, and you need to look at things from their perspective. As with the first writing assignment, the emphasis here is on a thoughtful, reasoned response with an organized structure.