The Main Idea Of Civil War: The Abolition Of Slavery

As the author of Declaration of independence, Thomas Jefferson’s viewpoint of slavery and abolition of slavery created a vision that slaves committed and inspired them to make actions. Thomas Jefferson stated that all men are created equal endowed by our creator with rights that cannot be taken away or denied. Moreover, if any form of government threatens these rights, the people have the right to abolish it specially if an absolute power is being exercised in a cruel way. (Slavery and the Making of America, 2004) But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

The crucial events that lead to the emancipation proclamation that eventually abolished slavery took place when president Lincoln was in position. As a new president Lincoln was given the task of the biggest problem in the nation “slavery.” Lincoln had previously stated that he had no intentions to interfere with the slavery institution since he had no right according to the constitution. As the war developed between the north and the south, he saw an opportunity for peacemaking efforts, hence, the emancipation proclamation. The reason for the Civil war was initially to preserve the union but all that change after the emancipation proclamation. At Gettysburg, Lincoln made it clear that the major purpose of the war had become the abolition of slavery. “The death of so many men would have made sense only if the country remained dedicated to the movement to free the slaves and to racial justice” (Schwartz, 2015). It is amazing to me that Lincoln ended slavery not by pursuing war but rather using the emancipation proclamation as a driving force.

It is vital to discuss historical issues and comparison from the ancient systems of slavery to the modern examples of slavery and how it affects the modern society to not let history repeat itself. This comparison leads to elaborating how the modern world has been widely influenced by the ancient ideology and practice of slavery. Quoted in the book, “by using the term ‘Slave System’, we intended to refer explicitly to the pervasiveness of the institution of slavery – a institution based on the “slave mode of production’ and system of labour.” (Lago & Katsari, 2008). Throughout the book, analysis of slave societies in different regions and their economic status shows that economic surpluses play a major role. I do agree with this initial analysis that the slave trade had an advantage to the economy but should be re-analyzed on how that could not be the case as time advanced and when hundreds of years passed.

In conclusion, it is vital to be knowledgeable on the history of slavery by its roots, by the differences of slavery between African and European, to be in perspective with how slaves were treated less than human, and how slavery contributed to the economy, economical advantages and disadvantages were in great difference between slaves and the masters, so that the history of slavery will stay as a history rather than incorporating in the modern society. Equality was neither the goal of the past nor consideration of all humanity. The arrival of slaves in 1609 at Jamestown, Virginia to the declaration of independence in 1776 that eventually led to the abolition of slavery then to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 of which the war effectively ended slavery are all vital in learning and understanding the history of America. We have learned that slavery is an important part of our history that shaped us to what we are now as a nation and should not let history repeat itself. As the saying goes, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.