1. Justifications of Slavery

2. Why did people allow slavery to happen Why did people allow slavery to happen ? Many people justified slavery for three main reasons: beliefs those about beliefs (racism) money those about money (economic) religion those about religion.

3. Racism Beliefs/Ideas about people’s abilities based upon their race. Ideas are found in thoughts, books, movies, TV shows, Advertisements, laws. Racism is created by society & not based on scientific facts.

4. Economics Slave traders could make large amounts of money buy & selling slaves. Slave owners would increase their profits using slaves. People who manufactured sugar, tobacco, & cotton made larges amounts of money.

5. Religion People argued since the Bible included slavery, slavery was acceptable. Since slavery was in the Bible, the Christian God approved slavery.

6. Directions Read the handout. Decide if the justifications are based upon religion, money, or racism. Write it inside each box. Key question (answer on back): Are any of these reasons persuasive? Why or Why not?

7. Some people thought that slavery made the Africans happier. Slavery was not against the law.Slave Owners thought the slaves were not like humans, more like dogs or horses, and that white people were superior (better) to them. God Some people thought God approved of slavery. Slaves were used to work on plantations in America making cotton, sugar and coffee. The plantation owners made lots of money because they didn’t have to pay the slaves any wages. Slaves could be sold for $1200 each, so people who brought them from Africa could make lots of money. The sugar trade in Britain was worth 20 million pounds a year. Sugar and cotton traders made lots of money and became very rich. Some people believed black people were not as clever as white people and needed telling what to do, like children. Some people believed blacks were lazy and without white people telling them what to do, would sit around all day doing nothing. Some people thought black people were dangerous and given half a chance would rob people or worse. The Bible talks about slavery so some people believed this meant slavery was ok. Many white people liked to have black people as servants inside the house, where they would work for free.