Some historians say that attacks by abolitionists actually strengthened sectionalism in the South instead of weakening it. How might the abolitionists have been contributing to the tensions arising over slavery? Provide two specific examples of the Southern response to the abolitionist attacks.
The abolitionist attacks, intended to weaken slavery and unite the nation, did indeed contribute to the tensions arising over slavery, ultimately strengthening sectionalism in the South. Two specific examples of the Southern response to abolitionist attacks are as follows:
1. Slaveholding as a right: Abolitionist attacks on slavery were perceived by many Southerners as an assault on their economic and social system. The South defended the legality and morality of slavery, emphasizing property rights and the Constitution's protection of slaveholders' rights. Southerners argued that abolitionists were challenging their way of life and threatening the Southern economy by advocating for the end of slavery. In response, in 1836, South Carolina issued the "Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union," stating that the growing anti-slavery sentiment in the North was undermining the South's independence and justifying secession.
2. Pro-slavery literature: Another way in which the South responded to abolitionist attacks was through the publication of pro-slavery literature. Southerners wrote and distributed various books, pamphlets, and articles to defend the institution of slavery. These works sought to justify the enslavement of African Americans, arguing that it was a positive social and economic system that benefited both whites and enslaved individuals. Examples of prominent pro-slavery literature include "Cannibals All!" by George Fitzhugh and "Slavery, as It Relates to the Negro, or African Race" by Josiah C. Nott and George R. Gliddon. This literature aimed to counter the abolitionist arguments by promoting the supposed benefits of slavery and reinforcing racial hierarchies.
In summary, abolitionist attacks on slavery caused a strong backlash in the South. Southerners defended their right to own slaves and attacked the abolitionist movement as an assault on their way of life. Through the promotion of pro-slavery literature and the assertion of their right to own slaves, the South further entrenched itself in its defense of slavery, strengthening sectional tensions.