AMH2020 M5A
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Indian River State College *
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2010
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History
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Assignment 5 - Rise of the Deep South:
The Assignment for Module 5 includes two short-answer question. Each is
worth 5 points. Base your answer on the information presented in the Rise of
the Deep South Sway lesson (and the primary source included within the
lesson). Do not use outside sources. Do not copy or share answers. Provide
specific details/examples.
1)
Answer the first question in 2 paragraphs:
Many during the revolutionary era had assumed that slavery would die a
natural death. It did not. Why did slavery end up expanding in the South? In
other words, what allowed for the expansion of slavery? (Note: the video
lecture is important for answering this question.)
Cotton production in the United States was transformed with the
introduction of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793. Before the cotton gin,
processing cotton was a labor-intensive and time-consuming process
requiring much manual labor. It involved removing the seeds from the cotton
fibers by hand, which was tedious and slow. However, the cotton gin
changed everything by making the process faster and more efficient. The
machine used a set of rollers and brushes to separate the seeds from the
cotton fibers, significantly increasing the processing speed. As a result,
cotton became more profitable, and its production increased significantly.
This led to a boom in cotton farming, especially in the southern states where
the climate was ideal for growing cotton. However, the cotton industry relied
heavily on slave labor, and the demand for cotton led to an increase in the
number of enslaved people in the US. The need for more slave labor was
driven by the fact that the cotton farms required a lot of manual work to
plant, cultivate, and harvest the crop. This made cotton one of the most
profitable crops in the US, but it came at a significant cost to the enslaved
people who provided the labor.
When slavery was prevalent, the Southern economy relied heavily on
agriculture. The cultivation of crops required a large workforce, and slave
labor was seen as a cheap and efficient solution. This dependence on slavery
had far-reaching consequences, as it led to the expansion of the institution.
Despite the values and principles of the revolutionary era, economic
interests ultimately allowed slavery to persist and grow in the Southern
states. The economic benefits of slavery, such as increased production and
profits, outweighed any moral considerations. This system of exploitation not
only affected the enslaved individuals but also shaped the entire social and
economic structure of the South.
2)
Answer the second question in 2 paragraphs. Be sure to use direct
quotations from the source to support your answer (argument). Explain
what the quotes show and how they connect to your argument.
None of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 had claimed
that slavery was a moral system. By the mid-19
th
century, however, pro-
slavery Southerners began to argue that slavery was morally correct. To
answer the prompt below, read and analyze the primary source by George
Fitzhugh.
Prompt: How did Fitzhugh attempt to defend slavery? (In other words, what
arguments did he present in his defense of slavery?) What had prompted him
to write his defense of the South? How might his background have influenced
his perspective?
In his arguments, Fitzhugh strongly believed that slavery was not only
a fundamental but also an indispensable component of society. According to
him, it provided care and protection for all individuals involved. Furthermore,
Fitzhugh argued that the capitalist system in the North was far more
exploitative of workers compared to the Southern slavery system. From his
perspective, slavery was a more humane and Christian alternative to the
wage labor of the North. He asserted that enslaved people were better off
than Northern laborers who were subjected to harsh working conditions, paid
low wages, and offered no job security. Fitzhugh's views were grounded in his
belief that slavery was a natural and necessary institution that ensured
stability, order, and social harmony in society.
The growing abolitionist movement and the rising tensions between
the North and South heavily influenced Fitzhugh's writings. Having grown up
in the South, where slavery was a deeply ingrained part of the economy and
social structure, Fitzhugh's views were shaped by his upbringing as a
member of an old and prominent Virginia family. In his works, Fitzhugh aimed
not only to legitimize the Southern way of life but also to defend slavery
against constant attacks from the North. His writings provide a nuanced
perspective on the complex and deeply rooted issues that culminated in the
American Civil War, shedding light on the social and economic factors that
contributed to the conflict. Fitzhugh's works offer valuable insight into the
tensions and divisions between the North and South, revealing the deep-
seated differences that ultimately led to war.
Requirements:
Formatting: 12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, one-inch
margins. Points will be deducted if not formatted correctly.
File format: Submit as either a .doc, .docx., or .pdf. If you submit any other
file format, your assignment will not be graded.
Length: Each paragraph should be at least six sentences long. Points will be
deducted if sentences appear to have been intentionally shortened to meet
the required number of sentences.
Editing: Be sure to proofread your answer and use spellcheck before
submitting. Points will be deducted for not doing so.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism of any kind will result in automatic failure. Use of
outside sources counts as plagiarism. Be sure to use quotation marks and
note the author when you use another’s word, words, or wording.
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