Nancy Bonilla

History 7A
July 27, 2016
Document interpretation 6
George Fitzhugh, Slavery Justified

What does Fitzhugh consider to be the basic failures of the northern states and France?
Fitzhugh argues that in the smaller communities the "experiment" will not succeed. He
mostly disagrees with the idea of competition. He states how small communities in Europe
are inadequate for the system. Fitzhugh states "How can it be otherwise, when all society is
combined to oppress the poor and weak minded?". (Fitzhugh) He is trying to bring people to
the understanding that the solution is not to resolve liberty and equality but to focus on major
conflicts he believes are the issues. He says focusing on liberty and equality will lead to
"destructive effects". (Fitzhugh) One example, he gives is that if we allow equal pay for
women as the pay of man it will only lead to "the consummation of society".(Fitzhugh) This
thinking is similar to those of the 1800-1861 era, in which they believed that a women's job
was to be in charge of the house. Although they gained more respect in their relationship
with their significant other it was still not socially accepted to have a women be considered
as "head" of the house rather it was ideal for a man. (Lecture Ch.12)

According to Fitzhugh, what is the proper status and role of women?

Fitzhugh believes that women are incapable of taking the "heat" of the real and competitive
world. He states, "We do not set women free because they are not capable of taking care of
themselves, not equal to the constant struggle of society." (Fitzhugh) He thinks of women as
"fragile", and their reason for being is to serve as a mother and caretaker of her family and
home. He goes on by saying how if they had such liberty it would lead to their destruction
and incapability of taking care of herself. His thinking if similar to those before the year
1848, in which many women were denied of their rights until it was brought to attention by
Elizabeth Stanton and Lucretia Mott who conducted the Seneca Falls Convention. (Lecture
Ch.12)

Give some examples that illustrate why Fitzhugh considers slavery to be superior to free
labor

Fitzhugh gives many examples in which slavery is superior to free labor. Such as stating, "There
is no rivalry, no competition to get employment among slaves, as among free

laborers."(Fitzhugh) He believes slavery is better because there is no competing involved and

this leads to less arguments and fights being broken out. He tries to support his claim by saying
"ever since the beginning of time the stronger animals and plants would take out the weaker
ones". He believes this is the cycle of life and we should not break it, instead we should keep it
going. Another example he encourages slavery is that the outcome is better than that of free
labor. That because a slave has a master, he will feel threatened and be punished if he does his
work incorrectly. He says how states in the South are flourishing by having slaves and how this
can lead to the flourishment in other states who are willing to conform with these theories.

Works Cited
Fitzhugh, George. "George Fitzhugh: Slavery Justified (1854)." N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July 2016.
Lee, Daehawn. Chapter 12 Lecture. Internet source. Retrieved from:
https://pcc.instructure.com/courses/1067202/pages/chapter-14-lecture?
module_item_id=10270884