Walter Johnson's Life Inside The Antebellum Slave Market

One of the most appalling things in American history is the era in which slavery thrived. During this time families were torn apart, humans were treated as products, and a stigma of racism and hatred was created that still lingers on till this day. Walter Johnson’s depiction of the life inside the Antebellum Slave Market throughout the existence of slavery in America is one of the most eye-opening views of slavery one could imagine. From the grueling conditions of the slave pens themselves, to the examining, auctioning, and eventual sale of the slaves, Johnson shares with the audience the type of life a typical slave in the South endured in America. One of the most fascinating elements of the slave markets in 19th century America must be what is known as the “Fancy Trade”. Though this trade typically took place in New Orleans, this term refers to a darker side of slavery …show more content…
In his speech before the United States Senate on March 04, 1858, Hammond discussed his opinion on the southern states’ economies and how they vastly outperformed their northern neighbors. According to Senator Hammond, “last year the United States exported in round numbers $279,000,000 worth of domestic produce, excluding gold and foreign merchandise re-exported. Of this amount $158,000,000 worth is the clear produce of the South; articles that are not and cannot be made at the North.” This goes to show that although the importation of slaves in America had stopped, the South was continuing to export extraordinary numbers of products making it one of the most profitable territories in the entire world. He was much in favor of slavery in the south because he knew of its importance to the economy. Cotton was a major export at the time and continued to be a staple crop of the south. Although the era of slavery was coming to an end at the time of this speech, slavery was still a major part of the southern economy and Trans-Atlantic

Show More

Walter Johnson's Life Inside The Antebellum Slave Market

Related Documents: Walter Johnson's Life Inside The Antebellum Slave Market

Soul By Soul: Life Inside The Antebellum Slave Market