"Obstacles On the Road to the Abolition of Slavery" ©
Slavery had many supporters, particularly in the South. The interviews on this DVD expose a pro-slavery picture that may be disturbing to some viewers.
Many believed that the Bible championed slavery. In the first three scenes, fictional men of religion lay out God’s word on slavery. As a sacred and unalterable book, it allowed proponents of slavery to justify the institution.
In the 1840s there was more money in the slave trade than in any other industry. Mr. Isaac Franklin, one of the leading slave traders, explains how he shipped out around 10,000 slaves per year.
Many in the political arena, also upheld slavery. Senator for South Carolina John C. Calhoun was an outspoken southern agitator and a slave master. He discusses nullification, the idea that if a state finds tariffs or laws against slavery not to their liking, it does not have to enforce them.
WARNING: Some scenes may be disturbing to the viewers as either the subject matter, personalities, or their spoken language may be offensive in the 21st century. Teachers be advised.