they were thought of as "livestock"
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Slaveholders often justified slavery by viewing slaves as property rather than people, citing economic reasons to maintain the institution, portraying slaves as inferior and in need of guidance, and using religious or cultural beliefs to justify their actions. Additionally, societal norms and customs at the time perpetuated and supported slavery, making it easier for slaveholders to rationalize their actions.
Stephen Douglas believed that the issue of slavery should be determined by popular sovereignty, allowing individual states and territories to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. He supported the idea that each state should have the right to choose whether to be a free or slave state.
Phillis Wheatley, the first published African-American female poet, used her writing to advocate for the abolition of slavery. Her poetry highlighted the injustice and inhumanity of slavery, influencing public opinion and contributing to the anti-slavery movement. While her individual contributions were just a small part of the overall movement, they helped to raise awareness and promote change.
People in the South justified slavery by arguing that it was necessary for the economy and social structure of the region. They believed that enslaved people were inferior and needed to be controlled for their own benefit. They also used religion and pseudoscientific theories to reinforce their beliefs in the racial hierarchy.
Ablution of slavery refers to the act of cleansing or getting rid of the institution of slavery. It implies the effort to eradicate and end all forms of slavery or servitude within a society or community.
Stephen Douglas supported popular sovereignity, also called squatter sovereignity, which stated that each territory had the right to determine if they would accept slavery or not.