William Edmund Morgan Slavery And Freedom

589 Words3 Pages
William Edward Burghardt , American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist, once expressed, “Most men today cannot conceive of a freedom that does not involve somebody's slavery.” The paradoxical notion of two opposites unfortunately coexisting is what Burghardt was addressing. An ominous reality seen in many aspects of the modern century but specially in the past in regards to America’s development. While many historians document the chronology of the revolution with some notes of slavery many understate the vehement contradiction of Revolutionary America. Edmund S. Morgan expounds this concept in his essay, “Slavery and Freedom: The American Paradox.” Morgan challenges the interpretation of history and its ties to other historical epochs or trends. Morgan exploits the dogmatic hypocrisy about the simultaneous rise of slavery and freedom by analyzing America’s journey as a global power and the nature of America's freedom fighters.…show more content…
Initially, The United States want to rise to than reputation by freeing the dead by means of controlling them; however, the early nation didn’t have the means to do so. Morgan creates the connection by noting that in for the US to exemplify their power they need to actually obtain it. The US did that by to purchase of French assistance that was paid by America’s most valuable product, tobacco. Tobacco was mainly produced by slave labor. America’s rise to power was directly facilitated by the rise of slave labor which create the meateater means to “buy” freedom. The economic ties to slavery are also catalyst to the political dogma common among “freedom fighters” or “champions of

    More about William Edmund Morgan Slavery And Freedom

      Open Document