Stephen S. Foster, The Brotherhood of Thieves; or A True Picture of the American Church and Clergy: A Letter to Nathaniel Barney, of Nantucket [1843]; and, Anonymous, 3 “Slavery and the Bible” DeBow’s Review vol. 9 [September 1850], 281-286). One of these documents uses religion to justify slavery, and the other uses religion to condemn slavery.
according to this format
Essay Structure:Introduction:
- Briefly introduce the topic of the role of religion and morality in the debate over slavery.
- Provide a thesis statement that outlines your main arguments regarding the role of religion/morality in the slavery debate and its impact on contemporary racial discussions.
Body Paragraphs:Question 1: Role of Religion/Morality in the Slavery Debate
- Discuss how each primary source document utilizes religious or moral arguments to either justify or condemn slavery.
- Use specific examples and quotes from the documents to support your analysis.
- Highlight the differences between the documents in their religious/moral arguments.
- Connect these arguments to broader historical contexts and their implications at the time.
Question 2: Impact of Religious/Moral Arguments on Contemporary Racial Discussions
- Discuss how the religious and moral arguments presented in the historical documents resonate with modern racial discussions.
- Draw connections between the historical justifications for or against slavery and current racial issues or debates.
- Analyze how these historical arguments continue to influence contemporary perspectives on race and morality.
- Use examples or insights from class lectures, the textbook, or other relevant course materials to support your points.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the main points discussed in the essay.
- Reiterate the significance of understanding the historical role of religion/morality in the slavery debate and its relevance to present-day racial discussions.
- Conclude by emphasizing the ongoing impact of past moral and religious justifications on contemporary racial issues.
