USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Some slaveholders believed that African Americans were biologically inferior to their masters. During the 1800s, this arguement was taken quite seriously, even in scientific circles. Defenders of slavery argued that slavery had existed throughout history and was the natural state of mankind.

Detailed explanation-2: -The main issue of the debates was the extension of slavery into American territories. This question had ostensibly been solved by the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which admitted Missouri as a slave state but prohibited slavery in all other new states and territories above the 36/30 parallel.

Detailed explanation-3: -Slavery was very cruel to most black slaves, especially the field hands. Slaves were beaten, whipped, castrated, branded, pierced, had limbs amputated, and killed in various ways. Slave women were often sexually abused by white masters, their sons, and overseers.

Detailed explanation-4: -A common explanation is that the Civil War was fought over the moral issue of slavery. In fact, it was the economics of slavery and political control of that system that was central to the conflict. A key issue was states’ rights.

Detailed explanation-5: -The extreme southerners urged that all the lands acquired from Mexico be thrown open to slave-holders. Strong antislavery northerners demanded that all the new regions be closed to slavery.