Cut To Slavery

Why are we fascinated with slavery?

The Great American Paradox

• America was built on ideals of ‘liberty,’ yet the same men who spoke so eloquently of freedom held hundreds of people as slaves. Slavery goes against all that America stands for.

Great Drama

• Slavery makes for great stories, of heroism in everyday acts of survival, resistance, and rebellion. Many people become more curious about slavery after seeing movies and reading books.

The Civil War Connection

As a central issue of the Civil War, slavery is pivotal to our nation’s decisive moment.

Race Matters

• Issues of race in America make us emotional. We can not deny the power of race or the heritage of American’s unique brand of slavery, which was based on race alone.

The Bloody Ground of Historiography

• Over the years, slavery has generated lots of interests---and very controversial interpretations---in the historical community. It’s one subject you won’t have trouble finding information on!

The History of the History of Slavery

• There was little interest in slavery until the early 1900s. Most books in the post-war period were ‘moonlight and magnolias’. U.B. Phillips wrote the first real historical work, but it treated slaves as ‘objects.’

20th Century Views

• Kenneth Stampp—THE PECULIAR INSTITUTION

• Stanley Elkins---SLAVERY

• Fogel and Engerman—TIME ON THE CROSS