| The Debate Over Slavery: Antislavery and Proslavery Liberalism in Antebellum America Subjects: Antislavery movements -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Slavery -- Political aspects -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Slavery -- Southern States -- Justification; Liberalism -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Abolitionists; Frederick Douglass and George Fitzhugh disagreed on virtually every major issue of the day. On slavery, women's rights, and the preservation of the Union their opinions were diametrically opposed. Where Douglass thundered against the evils of slavery, Fitzhugh counted its many alleged blessings in ways that would make modern readers cringe. What then could the leading abolitionist of the day and the most prominent southern proslavery intellectual possibly have in common? According to David F. Ericson, the answer is as surprising as it is simple; liberalism. Ericson David F. : David F. Ericson is Associate Professor of Political Science at Wichita State University. He is the author of The Shaping of American Liberalism: The Debates Over Ratification, Nullification, and Slavery. |