Q.1 What is the concept of free soil, and how does it link to the debate over slavery? What abolitionist arguments went into the creation of the concept? What non-abolitionist factors went into the creation of the concept?
Free Soil Party was a vigorous political movement in the United States between 1848 and 1852. It was set up in Buffalo, New York, becoming the third party in American politics that addressed a distinct issue of slavery. Founders of the political party were mainly drawn from the former anti-slavery associates of the Whig and Democratic Parties. The main objective of the formation of the political wing was to counter the expansion of slavery that was taking place across the western territories. They argued that free men in the free soil encompass a well established ethical and economical strong system, and not slavery. Their main activities included fighting slavery and doing away with laws that undermined their course to free slaves, especially the African Americans.
Abolitionism is a term that stood for the anti-slavery movement. Their abolitionism argument was that slavery was a social and moral evil. A non-abolitionist factor of the faction creation was the view of the group as dangerous fanatics. This was evidently witnessed during the South’s violent response, which seemed to validate cautions with reference to conspiratorial slave rule. Free soilers’ had a slogan of “free soil, free speech, free labor, and free men,” which engrossed citizens with low incomes like farmers and village traders. In 1848, the party nominated Martin Van Buren, who was a former U.S president, as its presidential torch bearer. Although the party did not win in the popular vote, it managed to weaken the New York democratic candidate and contribute to the victory of Whig candidate General Zachary Taylor.
The history of abolitionism is a as a result of struggle against slavery by the black community in the United States. This struggle began in the 15th century, when the black community enslaved by white settlers vowed to start killing them. In the late 1700s, there was a massive enlightenment of the black people, which resulted from the introduction of fresh ideas about morals and human rights brought about by the French and American revolutions. There was a clear understanding that all races are equal, and there was no reason for human bondage among people. This, however, did not go well with employers of the slaves because they felt that their might and power would be relinquished. They did everything within their reach to oppose abolitionists. They had a strong believe that their economic prosperity could only be achieved and maintained through persistence of slavery. They had large parcels of land and the Africans slaves provided cheap labor that ensured their prosperity. The slave owners also were unsecure in the vent that the slaves are freed. They developed a notion that the slaves who had grown to a considerably huge number would revenge all the sufferings they had underwent. These factors among many others proved an uphill task for the abolitionists.