Document D:
If slavery be wrong, it is justified by the example of all the world. He cited the case of Greece, Rome and other ancient states; the sanction given by France, England, Holland, and other modern states. In all ages, one half of mankind have been slaves. If the Southern States were let alone, they will probably of themselves stop importations. He would himself, as a citizen of South Carolina, vote for it. An attempt to take away the right, as proposed, will produce serious objections to the Constitution, which he wished to see adopted. Congressman
Source: Charles Pinckney, South Carolina on the vote to end the importation of slaves, 1808.
Question Document D-4: Identify if the document is for nationalism or sectionalism (5 points). Explain your answer (5 points)
My Answer: Sectionalism. Sectionalism became a major issue when Missouri applied for statehood in 1818. The Northerners didn’t want it to be a slave state while the Southerners wanted it to be a slave state. These caused two different sections of the U.S had separated by disagreements.
Is my answere correct?
I see it as nationalistic. He cites the U.S. Constitution and believes that it would be best if the nation accepted slavery.
I reviewed one more time, I guess this is the proof? “In all ages, one half of mankind have been slaves. If the Southern States were let alone, they will probably of themselves stop importations…”
Your answer is partially correct, but it needs some further explanation to fully address the question.
Firstly, let's define nationalism and sectionalism. Nationalism refers to a strong sense of loyalty and devotion to one's nation as a whole, often accompanied by the belief in its superiority over other nations. On the other hand, sectionalism refers to loyalty and devotion to a particular region or section within a country, rather than to the nation as a whole.
In Document D, we can see that the speaker, Charles Pinckney, is representing South Carolina and expressing his support for the continuation of slavery and the importation of slaves. This indicates that he is expressing sectionalism, as he is advocating for the interests and beliefs of his own state (South Carolina) rather than the welfare of the entire nation.
Moreover, Pinckney mentions the various examples of ancient and modern states justifying slavery, and argues that if the Southern states are left alone, they will eventually halt importations of slaves themselves. This suggests that he is emphasizing the differences and interests of the Southern states, further supporting the notion of sectionalism.
However, it's important to note that Document D does not explicitly promote the idea of American nationalism. It primarily focuses on the defense of slavery and the interests of the Southern states, rather than promoting a unified sense of loyalty to the entire nation. Therefore, while Document D exhibits characteristics of sectionalism, it does not necessarily align with nationalism.