Slave Society

Paternalism was a propaganda-like piece of pro-slavery thinking wherein owners claimed that slaves were not just their property but beloved family members that the owners were sworn to cherish and protect. Blacks were viewed as being unable to take care of themselves and support their own families and therefore had to depend on their white masters for support and discipline, much like a father does for his sons.

This led to George Fitzhugh’s argument that slavery was not a necessary evil – nor even an evil at all – but a self-supporting and symbiotic system that was in the best interest for all parties involved. Slaves were given room and board, protection, and stability from free market hazards such as fluctuating prices and economic conditions, unemployment, and other things that faced poor white laborers. In turn, the owners received increased profits and free labor. “Slavery,” he wrote, leads to “peace, quiet, plenty and contentment” (Freedom 224). His often contradictory assertions included that all free laborers are better off being slaves, while slavery was what blacks (perpetual children, in his view) deserved, as universal liberty for their race would be “a curse” (Liberty 403).