Submitted by kacper1194 on 05/10/2009 04:06 PM Flag This Paper
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History Essay
There are many arguments for and against slave trade. In this essay I am going to present both types of arguments.
Arguments for:
One of the main arguments to keep the slave trade often used by merchants and anti-abolitionists was that abolition of the slave trade would cause damage to the national and local economy. Slavery, they argued, was not only an aspect of the natural order of things but it was also vital for the colonies.
Another important argument was that some people thought that it’s better for the Africans on the plantations then in their own country, this is due to lack of food and water in Africa.
Another important argument was that only the Africans were adapted to work in the extremely hot conditions that were in the West Indies’ plantations at the time. That means no white worker could manage in these conditions so the Africans were irreplaceable in that case.
Arguments against:
One of the main arguments against the slave trade was that people thought slavery was wicked, cruel and inhuman. Many slaves were overworked, underfed, badly clothed and badly housed, they live in terrible conditions. The abolitionists were trying to tug at the hearts of the people by telling people things like “Put your family in their place and then decideâ€.
Another very important argument was that slavery was against the Christian religion, people were treating other people like animals. Everyone who owned or sold slaves was committing a serious sin.
Another argument was that black people should be treated as equals, they should not be discriminated or prosecuted just because of the color of their skin, they have the same body structure they’re the same species and since that is they should not be treated worse than us.