During the mid nineteenth century, the united states began growing opposing opinions toward the institution of slavery. These opposing views eventually led to be some of the causes of the civil war. Within these opposing opinions, there were many societal factors that came into play. Arguments that concerned the institution of slavery were greatly based upon the economy, the treatment of slaves, and morality. Slavery played a major role in the southern economy. Slaves allowed staple crops such as cotton to be mass produced in the south. As said in document B, “The cultivation of the great staple crops cannot be carried on in any portion of our country where there are not slaves.” The southern region of the United states was not as populous in comparison with the northern region of the United States. Without the use of slaves, the south would lack the man power that it required to produce the same amount of products that it had previously been …show more content…
Many individuals were aware of the immorality of the institution of slavery. In document D, Lincoln explains how slavery is morally wrong and goes against the founding principles of America. Many other individuals also felt this way. Due to this moral questioning, groups of people, abolitionist, began to advocate for the rights, freedom, and better treatment of slave. Although all abolitionist did not share the same beliefs of t what extent the slaves should be freed, they did all agree on the cruel nature of the institution. As shown in Document F, the public was beginning to be fully informed of some of the cruelties of slavery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a book written by the abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe. the book documents some of the stories that Stowe had come to hear from runaway slaves. Through information and insight, many abolitionist such as Lincoln and Stowe hoped to make people think about the immoral side of